• I’m so pumped about all the people that got baptized today.
• I’m so pumped that we are 4 weeks away from serving 1000’s of Less Fortunate Children.
• I’m so pumped that our June crowds are absolutely mind boggling.
• I’m so pumped to be thinking what are we going to do this fall. (I hope not 6 Services)
• I’m so pumped that if we have to go to SIX SERVICES we will go.
• I’m so pumped that the GATHERING is truly right in the midst of REVIVAL!!! (YES REVIVAL)
• I’m so pumped that GOD is going to use Pastor Scott in the New Series: OLD TIME RELIGION!!
• I’m so pumped about our church serving the POOR, the WOUNDED, and the WIDOWS.
• I’m so pumped that we are looking for land in Kenya for our first orphanage.
• I’m so pumped that this Friday is July 4th and many of you will get to see the NEW BUILDING in construction mode.
• I’m so pumped about all of you inviting your friends to our first 4th of July PICNIC.
• I’m so pumped about taking a much needed personal break.
• I’m so pumped about all of the lives that are being changed at the GATHERING.
• I’m so pumped about all the marriages that are being totally healed at the GATHERING.
• I’m so pumped about all the things GOD is doing behind the scenes that I wish I could share.
• I’m so pumped about all the first time guests, they just keep coming. (Or He just keeps GATHERING)
• I’m so pumped about the fall that the staff is working on and how we are going to get ready to move to our NEW Church Campus.
• I’m so pumped that I get to get off this computer and spend the night and the evening with the most wonderful woman in the entire WORLD.
• I’m so pumped that I’m days away from being 45 years old and get to serve my Lord for the next 30 years with all of the wonderful people that God has called me to pastor.

I love the GATHERING and I love the LOCAL CHURCH.

THE church is worth living for and DYING for!!!

signing off…

gene

My wife, Karen, and I are deeply saddened over the tragic death of Jim and Mary Hedrick’s 2 year old son Wilson. As soon as the news reached us the staff and I immediately began praying for the family. The loss of a child is always devastating. Please remember this family in your prayers. Also remember their 7 year old son J.J.

P.S. There will be a memorial service this Sunday, June 22nd at the Miracle Theater @ 2:30pm.

Gene 

• Just Return from the Hospital (David & Denise Moritz there son Justin was in a bad wreck)  Praise God he is okay.
• Unbelievable Crowds all weekend.
• Keep praying for Kenya and possible land for first orphanage.
• Pray hard for Back  to School  and all  the Volunteers the next two weeks as we register 2500 kids.
• Don’t forget 4th of July  celebration  we will be giving tours  of the  new  building.
• Tiger  Woods  is  on the  hunt.
• I  love  Corey  and Seth  so much.
• Karen  is reading  it is  midnight.
• My  mind  is  so fried  from the weekend.
• Looking  forward  to a good run  tomorrow.
• Really do  covet  your  prayers  during  the weekend for  physical  strength.
• I’m  going  to  bed.
• Love  the  Lord,  He  is  Awesome.

gene

Pastor Scott called and said that we had a volunteer upset and on the brink of burnout.Let me touch on this for a second or two.

1. Every Church in America NEEDS more Volunteers.
2. Red Cross Does!
3. United Way Does!
4. World Vision Does!
5. My Dad’s Church Does!
6. My Home Church Does!
7. My Best Friend’s Church Does!
8. All the Baptist Churches in America Need More Volunteers!
9. All the Methodist Churches in the World Need More Volunteers!
10. All the Assembly of God Churches Need More Volunteers!
11. Every Church in the World Needs More Volunteers!
12. If you Leave the Gathering and go to another church they Need More Volunteers!
13. (If you are going to complain about Volunteering at The Gathering, Please find that other church)
14. Here is my pastoral advice to all our Volunteers; we are running a Marathon not a 100 yard dash.  If you are tired, take some time off this summer. We Need You to finish, not burn out. I will take 7 Weekends off this Summer, you do not resent me for it and I will not resent you. You are not a machine, you are human and you have a family. (And hopefully a life and a good coon dog)
15. And ABOVE ALL if you are doing it for a staff person or because your best friend asked you or I asked you to volunteer - you are doing it for the wrong reason.

YOU MUST ONLY DO IT FOR HIM!! WHY? Because of what HE DID FOR YOU! 

gene

P. S. I know a lot of churches that would like to be in five services and I believe in the 409 Volunteers that help us every weekend pull these 5 Services off. In my opinion I don’t want to be in the fox hole with anyone else. Let’s not forget we are at WAR!!

My family is home from Texas. I’ve enjoyed getting to go hunting up north for several days, but I am back in the Saddle.

I had a great meeting today with our Life Development Team and they are super fired up with what is about to take place.

A Big thanks to Pastor Scott for filling in the last several weekends.

Don’t fill like writing to much tonight, Seth Alexander is more important.

He needs DAD. Thank God for my two sons.

gene