"Blessed to Bless Others"

Now well into the New Year, we ask ourselves again, where did January go? Hopefully, all those resolutions that you made prior to the calendar turning to January 1 are still being implemented in your daily life?

Now into February, means that our Upward program of basketball and cheerleading season is also well under way. It is really neat to see the excitement in the kids as they come to practice with their uniforms proudly displayed. They love coming to the gym to see their team mates and show off their skills. And it's not only the kids that are having fun, but if I'm not reading into it too much, it certainly appears to me that the directors, commissioners, coaches, ref's, snack table people are also enjoying themselves! I believe this to be the case because they all have one thing in common, to serve the Lord; to share Jesus Christ with kids, parents, and visitors that come to watch the games.

February at Maple Grove not only means the Upward season is under way, but also many other ministries are hard at work. One such ministry is our women's ministry. They meet almost every month with different planed activities. It is neat to see their excitement as they look forward to each event. With those events come fun, fellowship, food and devotions. All these things combined equals a great time together.

This February we as men are going to kick off a weekday, "Men's Breakfast." Our first scheduled date to get together is Tuesday, February 7, at Joanna's restaurant at 6:00 a.m. I'm really looking forward to what God has in store for us. "As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another" (Proverbs 27:17).

As your Pastor, I have a dream, a passion, a vision of bringing men of Maple Grove Church and men of our community together, for the purpose of sharing what we as men may struggle with (jobs, family, finances, sexual, etc.). How can we as men become better husbands, better leaders, and better men of God! How is this going to look? I don't know exactly how this is going to look, but I do know that this is what God is calling me to do. This will take our time, our patience, and of course our prayers! Men, won't you come and see what God has in store for us?

Sometimes I ramble on from one subject to another, from one ministry to another, but as I look at these ministries mentioned in this Newsletter, and those ministries not mentioned, I can't help but contain my excitement. Why? Because I'm seeing how God is working in you and in your ministries. Let us continue to be open to the moving of the Holy Spirit as He will move us forward in our ministries He's given us!

We are truly blessed! Let's now bless others through the ministries God has given us!

Pastor Dwayne