It's Crunch Time!

Only days left before the start of Advance 2023 at Twin Rocks!  That’s crunch time behind the scenes, as a year’s worth of planning and prayer comes to a head, and dozens of tiny details need to be nailed down.  But it’s all worth it!  Advance weekend has been a highlight of my personal ministry experience for a number of years, first as a pastor in attendance, and now as a missionary who gets to work on the event.  Advance is a time of blessing for pastors, church leaders, missionaries and their spouses.  The speakers and worship services are always uplifting (this year our speaker is InFaith CEO Jerry Iamurri, and our worship will be led by missionaries Larry and Vonnie Pratt).  But also, this is a time to rest and renew our passion for our Lord, our ministries, and our spouses.  And to connect with fellow servants of Jesus, who know better than most exactly what others in ministry are experiencing in their lives.

 Time is short, registration is high, but we can still squeeze in a few more in the comfortable private cabins at Twin Rocks Friends Camp and Conference Center (Someone asked, so here’s the answer: you won’t need to share a cabin with anyone but your spouse).  If the Lord leads you to a last-minute decision to join us, please read the information here, and then call me immediately at 971-645-2777. 

Dodge Church Building Fast!
It is also crunch time for the folks at Dodge Community Church just south of Estacada.  Though they have no specific date for opening the new church building, construction crews have been racing to see that date as soon as possible.  They were able to get the exterior buttoned up before winter hit, so lots of interior work is underway!  For updates, check out the church Facebook site at https://www.facebook.com/groups/DodgeCommunityChurch . The Lord has truly blessed that small community as it recovers from the disastrous Riverside Fire and prepares a new home for their worship of Jesus.

Please continue in Prayer for Dodge Community Church, Mountain Home Church, Deer Island Community Church, and Shiloh Basin Community Church.  All four are in one stage or another of seeking a new pastor.  All four will be represented at Advance 2023 as well.  Small churches are finding it difficult to locate called and qualified shepherds who are willing to serve in the true mission environment of a tiny rural community.  InFaith is willing to work with these churches and – for the right candidate – help set up a church missionary arrangement, that offers an ability to raise support outside the congregation where they are serving.  You may know (or may be) a person with that passionate calling.  Please call me at 971-645-2777, or come to Advance ready to talk and pray with the elders and deacons of these fellowships.  They need your encouragement, advice and assistance as much as they need mine. 

Tom Hiscox, Area Missionary thiscox@infaith.org