Leadership

Europe Missions Trip

Leave a comment

I’m heading to Europe this summer! (Lord willing). A small team of us from Immanuel Baptist Church are heading to Europe in July to share the gospel of Jesus Christ.

We will be traveling to a stable area of Europe, and a popular tourist destination, but one that has seen a large influx of refugees, new languages, and new people groups. We will be doing prayer walking, mapping, having gospel conversations, working with area partners, and equipping local leaders who will take this material back to their own peoples in their own languages.

We’re having a food fundraiser on Saturday, May 6th at the the McCafferty home. Join us for delicious grilled chicken sandwiches, homemade potato salad, coleslaw, and potato chips. Rick will be grilling from Noon to 4pm, so you can swing by for lunch or an early take-out dinner.

Where: McCafferty Home (message me for directions)
When: Saturday, May 6, from Noon to 4pm
Cost: $12/plate (tickets do not need to be purchased in advance)
Hope to see you there!

Sermons

VIDEO: “The Triumphal Entry” (Mark 11:1-11)

Video Leave a comment

With the waving of palm branches and shouts of “Hosanna,” Jesus entered Jerusalem and presented himself as king. A few weeks ago on Palm Sunday, I the opportunity to preach on Mark 11, and we learned…

  • The atmosphere on the Sunday before Christ’s death
  • How Mark has been building the “kingdom” theme throughout his gospel
  • The significance of Jesus riding on a donkey
  • God’s promise to David and his royal family
  • What Jesus’ kingship means for us now in the 21st century

You can watch a video of the sermon by clicking here or listen to the audio here. Thanks for watching! For a complete list of sermons and Bible study links, please visit my “Teaching Page”.

Journal

Congratulations, Pastor Chris!

Leave a comment

Last night, Immanuel Baptist Church held a special business meeting to vote on our next lead pastor.

After two and half years of prayer and diligent searching, the Pastor Search Committee recommended Dr. Chris Morgan to the position. The church was in agreement, and Dr. Morgan joyously accepted.

It has been a pleasure to work with Dr. Morgan these past two years since moving to Highland, and I look forward to continuing this partnership. He is a mentor, a friend, a gifted teacher, and a wise leader.

May the exhortation by the Apostle Paul to the elders at Ephesus resound in our hearts as well. “Pay careful attention to yourselves and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to care for the church of God, which he obtained with his own blood” (Acts 20:28).

Hiking

Highland Natural Parkland Trail

2 Comments

Today I had a chance to explore the natural parkland area at the end of Base Line Rd in the City of Highland. Skies were overcast, weather was a pleasant 60 degrees, and flowers were in bloom everywhere. This is definitely the crowned jewel of trails in the immediate Highland/San Bernardino area. Here are some photos from today’s hike.

The Highland Natural Parkland trail runs along the base of the San Bernardino Mountains. Rolling hills and canyons are on north side, while neighborhood views of East Highland and beyond are on the to south.
Interpretive signs provide historical photos and interesting background, but are in various states of disrepair. This is one of the better condition signs.
A nice bench awaits partway up the trail. I sat for a few minutes to relax and pray.
To stay on the main trail loop, go right at the fork. The trail to the left will follow the ridge and take you further up into the hills and mountains. At times it can be steep and slippery, but it does reward you with a beautiful view.
I took the trail to the left for 20 or 30 minutes and was treated to a spectacular view. The elevation gain was about 300 feet before I turned around and worked my way back down to the main trail.
A yucca plant just about ready to bloom
The hills were covered in greens, yellows, purples, and blues. Springtime — and this year’s superbloom — make this trail extra special.
Nothing like an afternoon hike to be refreshed and recharged. Hope you can visit this trail some time for yourself. Thanks for reading!

Science

God’s Wondrous Works

Audio 1 Comment

“O Lord, what a variety of things you have made! In wisdom you have made them all” (Psalm 104:24 NLT). The Book of Genesis lays out a historical account of God’s beautiful creation, followed by a terrible curse, then a worldwide flood. Together, these three events explain the world we see today. In this series, we are learning how science actually confirms this biblical record. Last night in class, I shared…

  • A review of week one material
  • Two very different ways of viewing history
  • There’s a water cycle, but did you know there’s also a “rock cycle”?
  • Key doctrines found in the early chapters of Genesis
  • The meaning of apologetics, and how it fits into our evangelism
  • A wonderful psalm for meditating on God’s creation
  • Why the earth is actually much younger than you might think
  • Does a person have to believe in a young earth to be saved?

Here’s the full audio recording:

Thanks for listening to week two of our study, “Is Genesis History?” For more information about Immanuel Baptist Church, please visit our website. For more info and viewing options for the full length documentary, “Is Genesis History?” click here.

Thoughts on Life and Leadership