Sunday Reflections - June 24, 2016

IT’S A GREAT SUMMER AT DEER FLAT!

Hello Deer Flat Family,

I’ll get right to it.  I’ve got a few things worth your consideration…

#1. A Bit of Time For Yourself? I hope you’re going to have a chance to run away for just a bit and catch some rest for your body and soul. I have been enjoying the long days and beautiful sunsets. A bit of vacation is always a plus. I have kept all of our traveling people in my prayers. Get away, and then get back here… because I miss you when you’re gone!

#2. Camps Are Starting – Monday kicks off Middle School Camp. There’s still time to get your kids signed up. These will be life changing experiences for all who attend. Memories will be made that will last forever, and so will the spiritual investment. Please keep these children and students, workers and camps in your prayers. We love seeing our children and youth encounter God!

#3. EXTREMELY IMPORTANT VOTE JULY 10 – As many of you know, we have a very important vote happening in just a couple of weeks. This will determine the direction for our future. I am asking that you prayerfully consider this significant next step for Deer Flat. The relocation of our Children’s Ministry plays a key role in our future with all of those young families we expect will come through our doors. Nothing will be more convenient than for a person to walk into the Church, have the sanctuary on one side, and the children just across the lobby on the other side. This new project will also include doubling the size of the lobby, additional restrooms, a more than adequate kitchen, and an incredible place for the children. Your vote will help us discover God’s will. Your vote will need to include a commitment. We are going to need a 75% positive vote and $2 million in pledged commitments. Cost of the overall project: $3 million.

The entire leadership team of Staff and Board believes that this is the right next step for Deer Flat. It is all driven by need. Each part of this project is so legitimate and it makes such good sense to do this. We are confident that God will provide the need to do this, just like He’s done for 108 years. Thank you for your steadfast faithfulness, generosity, and prayerful partnership in this important decision. And, thanks for helping make this an amazing summer!

Loving You and Him!

Pastor D

Sunday Reflections - June 13, 2016

AND A GREAT DAY WAS HAD BY ALL!

Deer Flat Family,

I can’t begin to tell you how you all blessed me yesterday! Your commitment to be at Deer Flat Church was nothing short of dedication. I was so touched by the turnout of my church family! THANK YOU!

It was an awesome day indeed! What fun I had sharing the breath-taking story of those early pioneering families who birthed the church that you and I have been so blessed by. I learned some wonderful things and had a chance to meet some new people as well.

One of the “down line” of those early pioneers was in church yesterday. He told me about the fact that his mother moved to the area when she was six. He shared how they took their earthly possessions and loaded them in their wagons.  Because those wagons were so full, the majority of those families walked from Nebraska to the sagebrush fields of S. Idaho. Talk about sacrifice and determination.

Because of that pioneering spirit and a heavy dose of daring faith, there was no looking back. These are critical ingredients for us to take into the future as we undertake the next step in God’s unfolding plan for Deer Flat Church. The building of a Children’s Ministry Center, doubling the current lobby, adding restrooms and an amazing kitchen will be no small task. 3 million dollars is no small amount.

But this is where a God who can do the impossible comes in. Nothing is too difficult for Him. How daring is your faith? How much do you trust Him? We have some BIG DECISIONS to make in July. Would you commit to really be praying about what part God would have you play? Would you have purposeful conversation with your spouse, family, or friends about what God could be saying to you? Yesterday’s responsiveness by the congregation was so wonderfully positive. I’m believing God is going to do something GREAT for His church and His people. Thank you for your partnership! I LOVE MY CHURCH!

God and Country is happening in just over two weeks. This is a piece that has been a part of 4^th of July celebrations in the Nampa, Caldwell area for a lot of years. This year is a big task and has a variety of very exciting venues to it. It includes the Louis Palau Evangelistic Association with Andrew Palau speaking.  There will also be a BMX Extreme Sports Exhibition, Concert, Freestyle Motocross Exhibition, food booths, fireworks and more. ENTRANCE TO THE EVENT IS FREE! During that evening of celebration, there will be a very clear and intentional presentation of the Gospel to all attending. At the close, there will be an invitation given. They are asking the churches of the Treasure Valley to provide people who would be glad to pray with anyone wanting to receive Christ.  A training class is planned for those who have an interest in being used during that invitation. Thursday evening the 16^th or 23^rd at 7 pm at City Pointe is when the training takes place. Would you prayerfully consider being a part of this important moment in someone’s life? GOD AND COUNTRY IS HAPPENING THIS YEAR ON JUNE 29^TH. 

People are the only treasures that we can lay up for ourselves in heaven. Your investment in someone’s eternity is HUGE. If you’ve never had a chance to be with someone who is giving their life to Christ, this is your moment to support them, pray with them and love them into the Family.

The Deer Flat Family is the most amazing group of people I know in the Treasure Valley and beyond. The heart to serve, give, share, pray and love is what sets Deer Flat apart from so many others who make a profession, but make no difference. Let’s make our lives count for something greater than ourselves!  See you Sunday!

Pastor D

Sunday Reflections - June 1, 2016

THE KIDS ARE COMING! THE KIDS ARE COMING!

That’s right, the kids are coming. In just over a week, we are going to have hundreds of children spending a week at Deer Flat Church. It’s time for VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL!  Every year we plan BIG. This year is no exception.

Julie and her amazing team have been preparing for a life changing week in the lives of all who come through our doors for this special event. This year’s theme is: SURFIN VBS!

If you haven’t registered your kids, grandkids, neighbor kids or your friends kids, you can do it very easily by just going to deerflat.org and click on the VBS promo.  WE WANT YOUR KIDS!

This is one of the major priorities of Deer Flat. We take investing in the children very seriously. This is one of the greatest things that we will ever do. Partnering with parents as they endeavor to get their children ready for Heaven is a calling for us. If we can introduce people to Christ while they are young, the fruit coming throughout the rest of their life is only measurable in eternity.

Throughout the year, week after week, the Children’s Ministry of Deer Flat plays a critical role. Week after week, children continue to invite their friends, experience life changing moments with Jesus, make new friends, and learn the Bible. They are being consistently equipped for their future. I couldn’t be more proud of the quality of ministry happening in both the Children’s Ministry arena and the Student Ministry arena. Julie and Martin have both developed strong ministry teams who make such great contributions. We are so blessed!

ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT SUNDAYS IN THE HISTORY OF DEER FLAT IS HAPPENING JUNE 12^TH. Don’t miss this one. Make it a priority.  Don’t let anything get in the way. ONE SERVICE – 10:30 AM. A full slate will happen for the children, nursery and Middle Schoolers. You’re going to hear the amazing story of Deer Flat, and then take a look 108 years later. This will be a great morning to invite a friend!

Personally, I can’t wait to share with you some very exciting details coming to Deer Flat Church. As we head into summer, let me just say, “THANK YOU” for staying so faithful in your giving and generosity. We closed out May meeting our budget. Summer is always a bit more challenging, but we’ve had almost 3 years of keeping the summer just as strong as the rest of the year.

I say it all the time, I mean it all the time: I LOVE MY CHURCH!  You guys are THE BEST!  See you Sunday!

Pastor D