Impact World Tour

Well, the fall tour is finally upon us. I'm excited and overwhelmed all at the same time. I want to thank everyone from the The Avenue for your help. I know you are as hopeful as I am that we are going to see the Lord do something wonderful in our community. We are so blessed to have this opportunity. Below is a partial list of the tour dates. I'm simply listing those closest to us. For a full listing, visit iwtusa.org.

Holmes High School - September 22-23, 7:00 PM
Wed - Island Breeze
Thur - G/X International

Salvation Army Covington - September 30, 7:00 PM
Thur - Team Xtreme

Life is going to get busy in a hurry...but in really great ways! Please be in prayer for IWT, the missionaries serving us, and all the local churches who are helping.

God bless!
Mike

I haven't forgot the blog!

Ok...so I'm not posting like I should. What can I say? I'm busy having conversations with real people (at least ones I can see and not those on the other end of a data connection). I'll try to do better. In the mean time, take note...

Free Cookout on July 4th!
Join us at church at 6 pm.

Vacation Bible School
July 12-16, 9:00 am - 12:00 pm

I hope to see you soon at The Ave!

-Pastor Mike

Community Cookout

On Sunday, May 23rd, we will be hosting a cookout at The Avenue. All activities will be outside (weather permitting) and will be open to the community. Come and make some new friends!

Baptism Service
Before the cookout we will be baptizing some new believers at 4:00 pm! Come join the celebration then stay for dinner.

New Teaching Series

Living an Impossibly Good Life
Join us Sunday nights at 6 PM!

Impossibly Good Relationships - April 11
How can God can make a difference in your marriage, the tension with your boss, and even the chaos you experience with your children? The Bible tells us some remarkable things. Learn God's plan for impossibly good relationships.

Impossibly Good Community - April 18
Relationships extend beyond our homes. They reach into our neighborhoods, our churches and schools. How can God make a difference in all these places? Find out.

Impossibly Good Finances - April 25
Did you know that God actually has a lot to say about money? Don't worry, this isn't a ploy to get you to give, it's about restructuring your priorities. God has some great money management advice. Especially in tough times, we can all use some money wisdom.

Impossibly Good Pursuits - May 2
Is there more to life than living for the weekend? Is it possible to live every day with purpose, joy, and contentment? As the saying goes, "It doesn't get any better than this." If your life needs a little more direction and meaning, come listen to what the Bible has to say.

Plus, don't forget about Team Xtreme.
They are coming Friday, April 16th at 7:00 pm.
Bring the family for this special event!

April 4th is Easter!

Bring your family and friends for this special celebration. Join us Easter Sunday at 6:00 pm.

Also coming soon...
Team Xtreme will be at The Avenue on Friday, April 16 at 7:00 pm.
This will be a great time for the whole family. The event is FREE!
Check them out online at www.teamxtremeintl.com.

I am the way...

"I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me."
John 14:6

Is this good news or bad? Of course we know what we are supposed to think. It's good news. Unfortunately, I don't know if our hearts always agree with our heads on this point. We rejoice in our own salvation, yet secretly lament over the exclusivity of heaven. The consequence? Silence. Even if we understand why Jesus is the only way, we've been told so many times it's "intolerant" to think that way that it actually keeps us from speaking up because defending the truth actually makes us feel bad.

Anyone relate to this?

I think the answer is a little more complicated than, "Be bold." I think we need to challenge our perspective and admit it has been tainted by the world. The first step? Perhaps we should consider the context of the original passage. Jesus didn't make this statement to explain who gets left out. He made this statement as a promise of how to get in.

What do you think? How can we change our attitude towards evangelism (sharing the good news of Jesus)?

I am the Light of the World

I mentioned this on Sunday but we didn't read it. John continues the theme of light and dark in his first letter.

"This is the message we have heard from him and proclaim to you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. If we say we have fellowship with him while we walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin."

That was 1 John 1:5-7. There are a few things about this passage that are awesome. It is a warning certainly. We do not have the liberty to walk how we want as followers of Jesus. If he is light, then we must also walk in the light. John is talking about the pattern of our life, not perfection.

The other cool thing this passage brings up is community. Walking in the light means "we have fellowship with one another." For those looking to experience the light of life to the fullest, may I suggest you try doing it in community? If you claim to follow Christ, you are called to fellowship. If you aren't in a fellowship now, find one. There are many great churches in our community. If you are fearful about being welcomed, visit us. I promise you, you are welcome.