What a week! God has filled our cups over and over again through the preaching and presentations of the Outreach Conference. And to make sure that the emphasis is right, God allowed us to see folks saved throughout the week as well, both in the services and through door knocking. God still blesses outreach and soul winning still works!

What is a grandparent? One child said that "Grandparents are parents with a lot of frosting." No matter what your definition, God has blessed our church with wonderful grandparents who love the Lord and love their grandchildren (and their children, too). Today we honored our grandparents by giving them a magnetic picture frame. That's all they need, another picture on the fridge of their grandchildren!
 
In the day and age of broken homes, there are many today that don't have the privilege of growing up being close to a grandparent. May I challenge you today to look for these people and adopt them as your "grandchildren?" You have been such a blessing to others, why not further your influence by giving someone a relationship that they crave. You never know what impact you can have by simply being an encouragement to others.

One year ago, we said goodbye to a very special family in our church- the Leversee family. Brian, along with his wife Anna, and their two beautiful daughters Cailyn and Makynna left for California to follow God's calling upon their lives. Many tears were shed as we said our "farewells." We knew God's plan for their life; they've shared it with us on numerous occasions! Yet to know that our friends, our co-laborers in Christ, faithful members and leaders of Desert Gateway Baptist Church will no longer be available whenever we needed them brought a tinge of sadness.
 
But a few months later, the first service of Horizon Baptist Church brought in dozens of people. And in the next few weeks and months, God added to the church. A miracle was taking place in the Oxnard and Camarillo area of California. People were getting saved, baptized, and added to the church. More chairs were needed, more helpers required. God was and is doing something very special at HBC. And as the sending church, we are proud to see God multiplying His ministry through the Leversee family.
 
Last week, the church celebrated their one year anniversary. Today, in an organizational service, they became an independent and autonomous Baptist church. Our senior pastor, Ron Leversee (Brian's father), preached during this memorable and historic service. What a testimony! What a mighty God we serve!
 
God took choice servants from our church and planted them in another part of the country to replicate what God is doing here and in many other places around the world. Church still works! Would to God more churches would birth more churches so that the lost can be won for Christ. Truly, the greatest need of our country is Christ, as He is preached from the pulpits of our local churches today!

This year's retreat was a huge success! With almost 50 ladies in attendance, it was a blessing to see that Christians can have fun, too. After a horseshoe competition, an adventurous hay ride, and uplifting sessions from the ladies of DGBC, it's good to see our ladies back and all accounted for.
 
God also used a godly lady in Mrs. Rita Weaver to speak to our ladies about the challenges of a Christian life and how to have a wonderful life in Christ. Many ladies made decisions that will undoubtedly affect their homes for a long time to come.
 
If you missed this year's retreat, plan now to come next year. The dates will be released soon. Meanwhile, pray for the decisions that were made and for God to provide a way for you to attend next year's retreat.