Pastor Al Paulauski, From Your Pal Pastor Al, Fair Haven Assembly of God Church

Pastor Al Paulauski

From Your Pal August 2006

"It's a Small World"

     As many of you know, I and three students just returned home from our summer mission's trip to El Salvador. And boy what a trip it was! As for the ministry part of our trip, we spent four whole days (7 am - 8 pm) ministering mostly to children and teenagers (1,600 in total). We ministered in schools, at public parks, and also in communities. It was a little hot (92-95 degrees in jeans/long skirts), but it was well worth it as we saw over 550 children make decisions to follow Christ. It was an incredible experience for all of us that went. One that none of us will ever forget.
     On one of our last nights in El Salvador, our entire group attended an all night (9 pm - 6 am) prayer meeting/service that was attended by 1500 - 2000 students. It was an event put on by our sponsors - King's Castle - twice a year. It was something where everybody sought God for the entire night. As part of that event our mission's team was asked to share a testimony and do a worship song. Lucky for me, I was asked to share a testimony. It was an experience that I will never forget.
     As I thought about what to share, I remembered an experience I had at one of our evening services while in El Salvador. What was cool to me is it was a similar experience I had on my first mission's trip eight years ago when I went to Peru. It was one that changed my perspective on what this whole mission's thing was all about.
      On one of the last nights of my trip to Peru we went to the Pacific coast. It was there we had some seafood and went swimming in the ocean. While others went swimming, I walked down the coast just a little and found a seat just to think. I remember, as I was sitting there, looking out across the ocean and realizing that I lived just on the other side of the water. Sure it was an eight hour plane ride across the ocean but it was still where I lived. What it reminded me of was this, our world is really not that big. With today's forms of transportation and technology our world is really small.
     That realization reinforced to me that we truly can reach this world for Jesus Christ. It's not impossible. When Jesus said in Acts 1:8 that we would be his witnesses in Jerusalem, Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth - he knew what he was talking about. We can get the job done of preaching this good news to all creation. It may not be a missions trip for you (even though I believe we should all take at least one trip in our lifetime), but you can make a difference in giving to missions, praying for our missionaries, and being a missionary in your own community.
     Jesus left us the task of telling this world about his desire to have a personal relationship with him. Jesus was so madly in love with them that he gave his life to prove it. The question I have for us is, are we just as passionate about seeing lost souls saved as Jesus was? If we are, we can get the job done because this world is really a small world.

August Highlights

1. Grocery store gift cards. Gift cards for Kroger & Farmer Jack will again be available for purchase on Sunday, August 6th after service. By you participating in a program like this we can earn 5% of your purchases towards missions. Remember, it's free money. Please make sure (if you have a Kroger card) that you are recharging your card before your purchase. Fair Haven is also now enrolled in "Meijer Community Rewards." If you will simply sign up with Meijer for a "rewards card" (it's not a credit card) through us, they will give a percentage of your monthly spendings to us. Come by the table and see us for details.

2. Hang Night - Sunday August 13th (@ the Shipman's house) from 5-9 p.m. These evenings will involve a time for the teenagers to hang out and go swimming, play volleyball, eat food, hear a short devotion, and even do some horseback ridding. Meet at the church to catch the van to their house. See Pastor Al for more details.

3. "Parents Night" - Wednesday August 16th marks our annual "Parents Night" in youth. It's a time when we invite all parents of teenagers to join us for our youth service @ 7 p.m. The whole night is set up for parents to come and see what's going on in 876 Student Ministries. During the service there will be a short meeting with Pastor Al and a time for parents and teenagers to respond to the message of the night. Please make it a point to join us for a great evening.

4. "The X-Games" - The beginning of the school year signifies to us the beginning of our team competition known as the "X-Games." They will run from August 30th through September 27th. This is a five week competition in which all of our students will be split into 3-4 teams lead by one of our youth leaders. Teams will compete in a variety of team games, individual tasks, and much more. Teams are awarded points on a weekly basis with the winning team earning an incredible prize. Last year the "Green Team" won a two-night trip to Chicago. It's one of our highlights for the year. We hope to see your teenager there.