Thoughts on the Spring Men's Encounter 2008

It was another super Men's Encounter weekend. I could have never imagined in 2002 when I first went down to Bethany World Prayer Center and was introduced to "the vision" that so many lives would be impacted by encounters and cells. Kings Point is going into its fifth year of conducting encounters and in my 27 years of ministry I have never seen anything in church ministry so powerful as "encounter weekends."

Just some brief thank you[s] to some very special people...

• Thanks so much to Rob Mason who still works with us on our encounter leadership team. Rob has such a great servant's heart and he and Suzanne are such a personal blessing to Annette and I. We are very proud of them and rejoice with them in their success at Loveland.
• Thanks also to Tim Minks who once more served on our leadership team and brought several men from his church to the encounter. Tim has such a passion for Christ and the work of the Kingdom. Tim and Sheryl are doing a wonderful job at New Life in Terre Haute. His congregation is growing, maturing, and making disciples. Tim and Sheryl are like spiritual children to Annette and I. I know speaking for the encounter team, Tim and Rick (Big Breakfast) are true brothers!
• Thanks to Ken Brumfield who did another wonderful job directing the encounter. I continue to be impressed and blessed at how God has anointed Ken in the leading of men. All of our men know, that Ken is "in his element" at the encounter. I am so proud of Ken!
• Our leadership team once more did a wonderful job of ministering this weekend. It is a true honor to work with these brothers in Christ! I love them so much and so much appreciate their servant's heart! [Frank Jones, Tim Johnson, Dakota (Durango) Manning, Jon (Big Country) Dayton, Gerry Chess, and Mike (Big Africa...something like that) Amburgy] Doug Taulbee had to work this weekend. We really missed him. Hopefully, he will be with us next time!
• Thank you so much for your wonderful testimonies tonight Chris, Jeff B., Israel, Wes, and Ron. You guys really blessed us!
• And thanks to the Kings Point guys who come to the encounters that are not leaders. We love you guys so much and appreciate your hunger to encounter God!

We hope everyone will attend your men cell (small group) meetings this week. Just as a reminder, Tim Johnson conducts his cell on Monday evenings at his home. Frank Jones holds a cell on Tuesday evenings at Kidd Coffee in Maineville at 7 pm. I have a Wed. morning cell at Bob Evans in Kings at 9 am. Ken Brumfield and Gerry Chess have cells that meet on Wednesday evenings at 7 pm at the church. Please call the church for more information on our men's weekly cells.

I thought the worship service went well this morning. Our crowd was a little down, mostly due to our men being gone to the encounter. It was a joy having the kids with us this morning. They did really well I thought. I think the message that God gave me this morning on worship is truly a 'word from the Lord.' It seems like so many people today don't truly worship when they come to church. Many people think by just by 'showing up' they have done their duty unto the Lord and that should be enough. I believe this attitude truly saddens our Lord and prevents so many from receiving what they need from God.

Well, I pray that you have a great week! Remember, change isn't change until your change makes change in somone else!

Pastor Randy Ballard