Latest emailed update (sent out 6/16/08)

Hello friends and family of the Happy Church!

Quick update to let everyone know that we are alive and well in Jackson, KY

The Manheim GBC youth group is here this week doing work projects around the place and ministering to the body Sunday morning and kids Sunday evening and will minister to the kids again Wednesday evening. You can watch the Happy Church teen praise band lead the worship and then the dramas from the group at www.thehappychurch.org <http://www.thehappychurch.org/>

Camp time is here and we are excited! We have six teens that are going to be competing at “Momentum 08” ( www.cenational.org <http://www.cenational.org/> ) in bible quizzing, interpretive scripture reading, youth praise team, youth band, and drama. WE ARE ASKING FOR YOUR HELP TO SEND THEM. C.E. National was very generous to give us a discount but tuition is still expensive. Each kid will still need to come up with $344.00 to go. We have been working these teens here at the church with lawn care, cleaning, and happy shack project jobs (see picture below). However that money is now depleted and we still need an average of $100 to $150 per kid to complete registration.
We had several of you ask us about camp, so we thought we would let you know this need. We have other kids who are working on saying verses to go to Camp Nathanael for free. They will still need spending money about $20.00 each, but we believe that they will be more appreciative of this opportunity after working for it, and hopefully start understanding
the concept of delayed gratification. Please consider this as a great
investment for God’s money and help us get them there.

God has been blessing the Happy Church as we minister to children, teens, and disenfranchised (from religion) adults. Occasionally I will send out stories that are mainly focused on the young. Here a couple statements from adults (40+) within the last few weeks

“This is the last place I have to go to find peace. It is nowhere else.
Not home, not work, no where”

“You are different from any other pastor I have ever met. Because you are real, honest, and open about how life can be and how God helps, I have been able to put my trust in Jesus”

“I was an alcoholic for years, but because I understood God loved me no matter what, I knew He would give the strength to beat it. After four years, I have been dry for over eight months”

“I’m so glad you moved here. I don’t believe I could have made it if you hadn’t” (speaking of Connie and me)

I’d be dead if God had not brought you here” (Connie and I believe God would have sent others, but the blessing is ours) “I am praying to God for help to overcome my addiction and it is working” (panic attacks in the middle of the night have all but totally gone away)

We always redirect any praise to God and His faithfulness. We make sure they understand we just try to be obedient and loving through God’s power and direction and He is the one to be praised as every good and perfect gift comes from above.

I have got to tell you, I am getting a blessing just typing these statements out. I hear them and rejoice at the time, but to type them out has like, reinvigorated the blessing.

The two things we need are workers and financial support. God has taken care of us and will continue to do so.

The surrounding poverty, work on the Happy Shack, summer, and gas prices has exhausted the general budget. Like I typed a line ago, God will deliver us. We have faith, but we also need to be honest and share the need. We are asking you for help with the kids camps first. If someone is lead to give to the Happy Church then we say “thank you” and may God richly bless you in and above the generosity shown to us. I have been full time for year but this month I have not taken my salary except for the rent and utilities. The pastors I have spoken with have told me to hang in there because they believe God wants me fully engaged in my community. I can go back to physical therapy tomorrow but I want what God wants for me. Pray for wisdom, patience, and understanding that I may proceed in God’s perfect will.

Most of you that are reading this have given to the Happy Church in the past, many have visited, and some worked. If our asking for workers or financial help has left you feeling uncomfortable, please overlook this part and rejoice with us in the lives that are being changed, young and old alike, and pray for us.

The Happy Church is a light in the darkness and salt in a tasteless society. Thank you very much for your prayers and encouragement.

Pastor Mike