Hello Folks,
I just received a summary for the total number of books checked out of our library for the month of January of 2011 and it was 614. That included all ages and all types of books. It appears that many of those who attend here are utilizing our library for various nees. I would like to thank Heidi Deyton for all her good work in obtaining books and making them available for the use of any who want to use it.
I have been reading the book "The Essential Church" by Thom and Sam Rainer. This book deals with the question of why so many young people leave the congregation between ages 18-22. The title of the book gives us a basic idea for this and it is that the church is not an essential part of their lives. I wonder if that is also true for those of all ages? I watch as some people slowly allow their spiritual lives to evaporate--it disappears and sometimes no one even knows it. If you have any ideas as to what can be done to help address those issues please feel free to write them down and get them to me. I would like to be able to help make a difference in the lives of our young adults as well as people of all ages.
Jerlee Ottinger is currently in Haiti helping to lead a work camp of 25 people from South Carolina. What a joy it is to watch our folks from our congregation pour their lives into missions work. We also have Raymond and Dereda Shelton who pour so much into the work in Nicaragua and have led numerous work camps there. We are very blessed to be allowed to share in ministry with them. Pray for them as they give of themselves for the Kingdom of God.
May He bless you all.

Pastor H. G. Rudd