Cannonball Update - Lake Hills Church - Ozark, Missouri (acx book reading TXT) 📗

The Vision

Hey Lake Hills Family & Friends!

Michele and I are starting our 6th year of ministry with Lake Hills Church, and it’s hard for us to imagine that things could get any more exciting & inspiring than they've been so far. God has blessed Lake HillsChurch beyond what we could have EVER imagined.

That's what going "all in" at Lake Hills Church is about. We believe that God is challenging each of us with even greater opportunities to step out in faith, and to change the world with His love.

Are you ready to jump “ALL IN” and make some waves? None of this “toe in the water” stuff. That won't get it done. I’m asking you to make a splash that will have a far-reaching ripple effect of love, hope, and transformed lives at Lake Hills Church. I’m asking you to stand with me at the water’s edge and do a CANNONBALL with us.

We are doing everything we can to bring to life the tremendous vision that we believe God has for Lake Hills. And I’m not going to sugar-coat it. It's not easy. It's never easy to go ALL IN. That's why Jesus said "I wish you were HOT or COLD but not lukewarm" This means both you and I must sacrifice time, resources, treasures and talents to really make the difference in our community and world for God. I promise that it will be worth every bit of sacrifice to see what God can do, both in us and through us. If you are just checking us out or ready to jump let me personally ask you... Are you ready?! Join us today for CANNONBALL!

Jack & Michele Ward - myLakeHillsChurch.com

Overview

There are so many needs all around us. There are people who are lost, scared, and hurting. There are children who are hungry, and families that are shattered. And then there are the people who seem to have everything going for them, yet they lack the firm foundation that would allow them to “take hold of the life that is truly life.” (1 Timothy 6:19) They have never experienced the love of Jesus, and they have no idea what they're missing, which is EVERYTHING.

We believe that God has a divine design for Lake Hills. He has blessed us greatly, and with great blessing comes great responsibility. But He doesn’t expect us to do anything on our own. He has equipped us with everything we need to accomplish amazing things - things beyond our wildest dreams - things that He desires to do in us, and through us, if we will just let Him.

From the beginning it has been clear that God's hand has been on our Church. To do more requires an “all in” commitment of sacrifice and generosity. To go “all in” means to leave behind the comforts and securities of who we are (or maybe who we aren’t) and jump into the life that is truly life.

Now we could just wade along the shore - many Christians do this. Wading will definitely get our feet wet. But this God-sized vision of “beyond our wildest dreams” requires more.

We'd like to tell you all about this God-sized vision, and hope that you’ll take some prayerful time to consider what the your part will be as you decide to go “all in” and...CANNONBALL with us!

The Challenge

The Challenge Is For YOU!

Read and Study your Bible God’'s Word is the foundation for everything we believe. Commit to spend some time in The Bible every day with the goal of reading it entirely over the course of the year. You can find an easy plan that's right for you through myLakeHills.com

Pray for the Whole World. Take some time in your devotions throughout the week to spend time in prayer for different regions around the globe. We also ask that you make a list of (at least) three lost people that you can pray for regularly. Pray that God will stir their hearts, and possibly provide an opportunity for you to share your faith!

Experience a Small Group. At Lake Hills, we believe that people grow the best in authentic community with other believers. Joining a Small Group is one of the best ways to connect and “do life” with other folks in the church. You can learn more about Small Groups on our website @ myLakeHillsChurch.com

Step Out of my Comfort Zone Serve with your whole heart. You can do this by volunteering within the church or in the community.

At Lake Hills there are plenty of ways to step out of your comfort zone and serve. God gives each of our special gifts so we can glorify Him in unique ways. Put your gifts to good use by finding a way to serve.

Give Generously and Sacrificially. As believers, we’re each called to live a life of generosity. Spend some time in prayer, and decide (and stick with) giving sacrificially as the Lord leads you.

Social Justice & Care for the Poor

As we grow in our faith, we also grow in our understanding of the call of Jesus in Matthew 25, where He instructs us to care for the “least of these.” The more we build relationships with the local communities around Lake Hills, the more our eyes are opened to the need for partnering with existing local ministries to help multiply their outreach and relief efforts. And on a global scale, there is so much need and poverty throughout the world that it’s easy to become overwhelmed and do nothing. But God is calling us to do so much more.

Through Cannonball - Lake Hills will assist with the life-changing work being done in our own local communities and around the world by partnering with many relief ministries, including the following:

Operation Christmas Child - Collecting Christmas Boxes to send to children in other countries. Operation Christmas Child is a ministry of Samaritan's Purse. 

Thanksgiving Basket Distribution - Partnering with Least of These to help with Thanksgiving Basket distribution. This past year we helped feed 700 families.

Christmas Adopt-a-Family Program for Least of These - Each year, Lake Hills adopts several families for Christmas through Least of These, providing gifts, clothing, household supplies, and Christmas Dinner for each family. 

Ozarks Food Harvest - Lake Hills has also held food drives for Ozarks Food Harvest. We also manned phones for Hungerthon 2012. We are blessed to have so many incredible service organizations in our community!

Convoy of Hope - In the past, we have participated in Convoy of Hope’s “One Day to Feed the World” campaign. Convoy has a wonderful history of getting help to where it’s needed, WHEN it’s needed!

Community Back to School Bash - 800 people were served at Lake Hills Church and we distributed over 700 backpacks filled with school supplies. The community pulled together and gave away $40-$60 thousand dollars in goods & services. Go God. 100 Lake Hills volunteers made going back to school a little eaisier with games, prizes, free haircuts, free school supplies, and free food courtesy of Backyard Burgers! Thanks to all who worked to make B2SB a success!

AIDS Project of the Ozarks - Each February, Lake Hills collects personal care supplies for the pantry at APO. This is a great way to show the love of Jesus to those living with HIV in the Ozarks.

How to Give

We have made it as simple as possible for you to give at Lake Hills Church. There are 4 ways to give.

1. GIVE on Sunday when the basket comes by on Sunday at Church.

2. GIVE online @ myLakeHillsChurch.com

3. GIVE mail using the envelope in the weekly bulletin.

4. GIVE by mail Lake Hills Church; P.O. Box; 696; Nixa, MO. 65714