As we move into the fall, I can’t help but get excited about church life. This is really a great ministry season ahead. As we turn the corner into the fall season, we turn our focus even more toward outreach and reaching those who aren’t yet here.

On August 15th we will be adding a third service at the Highland Campus, and the following Tuesday we will have a Men’s Night- with food, fun, and football  with our great friend and all-pro football player Kevin Mawae, what more could men want. Just a few weeks later, the ladies will be blessed with a Chick Night on August 30th!

Before you know it we will be doing holiday outreaches and celebrating our first Christmas in the Arena. It’s about to be a crazy fun-filled fall at HPC and you won’t want to miss it!

I love the summer!! As a kid, I always looked forward to the joys summer would bring—staying up late, sleeping even later, time with friends, sleepovers, swimming, baseball, family trips. With school out, the summer belonged to us—we were free, and we always found a way to have fun. I never really thought about what summers meant to my parents…until I became one! Then I realized that a parent’s job doesn’t stop just because the kids are out of school. In fact, moms and dads have to shift gears—still full-throttle at work, yet navigating a new schedule for kids at home. Unknown to me, my parents made additional sacrifices so that my summers would be unforgettable. I never realized how hard they worked, and how much my life benefited because of it.

In much the same way, summertime at Healing Place Church is incredibly important to us. We place significant value on the next generation, believing our devotion to God will create many unforgettable God-encounters for our kids. In Psalm 112:2-3, the Bible gives a promise to those who fear the Lord and delight in doing what He commands: “their children will be successful everywhere; an entire generation of godly people will be blessed. They themselves will be wealthy, and their good deeds will never be forgotten.” Every good parent wants to set his/her children up for success, knowing it will require sacrifice. The kingdom commitments you and I make today will impact the eternal destiny of our kids tomorrow—and not just our kids, but an entire generation. My decisions don’t just affect me; they shape and influence the future of those who come after me.

This summer has been sizzling with life change already for our students. Many have gone to the mission field, rebuilding homes in Haiti, serving in Africa and Honduras, and caring for the broken in Los Angeles. Over 140 kids are actively involved in our Epic internship, 1200+ will be in VBS across all our campuses, and many have been baptized the last couple weeks. Our current focus, Project 14, speaks of our commitment to the future. It says to our kids “You matter to God—you have an amazing destiny in Him.” Your giving is creating opportunities that will make this summer absolutely unforgettable. I believe our kids will flourish everywhere they go because they have been empowered by our sacrifices, and I’m convinced by the power of His Spirit, they will truly be unstoppable!

We also have hosted four churches who had their summer missions at our very own Dream Centers. These teams have painted, cleaned, hosted food giveaways and participated in several servolution outreaches around out Baton Rouge and Donaldsonville.

Another win this summer is our Haiti Coalition. Several churches and key organizations have joined together to bring relief to the people of Haiti. Together we have sent ten teams already this summer to renovate, reconstruct, and most importantly bring the love of Jesus to a poor and hurting world. We have committed to serve this devastated community for the long haul and are currently developing even more plans for the fall.

In addition to all the teams we have sent out, we also have sent two of our very own next generation leaders to spend their summers abroad learning under incredible missionaries and serving the needs of those on the field. Heather Leblanc is in Honduras for two months with Healing Hands Ministry under the care of Martin and Wendy Williams. Dustin Anderson is serving at our HPC Swaziland Campus, leading a team of interns under the direction of Pastor Ben Rodgers.

Below are some pictures from HPC summer missions! Who says the summer has to be a bummer? Through your giving and praying, we have been able to make a great impact for the Kingdom this summer!

It reminds me of the scripture in 1 Timothy 4: 12 Let no one despise your youth, but be an example to the believers in word, in conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith, in purity.

Through this class, we teach our kids to be examples through the Word and practical life experiences.

This weekend they had the opportunity to learn from a “more mature” generation when they visited a nursing home. They played games, served, and spent time together. The highlight of their visit was when they met a 100 year old woman named Mrs. Hattie. She had been married for 67 yrs. The Blue Sushi group asked questions about her life experiences and listened as she offered her advice “Never give up”.

WOW! What a great lesson for all of us. I am so often amazed at what we get to be a part of.

It made me think about Healing Place and how God has blessed this church. It is so clear that the blessing He has on us, isn’t for us, but simply for the sake of His people. Everything we do- reaching, serving, giving, building- is for the sake of the people.

Recently the Lord has blessed us with an even greater opportunity to extend our reach for the Kingdom. Winbourne Baptist Church  was looking for a ministry that could continue to serve the people in downtown Baton Rouge and chose Healing Place Church. For several months we have been sharing the building with the Baptist congregation and on May 30th they will have their final service and have given the building over completely. As they pass the torch on, we want to honor them and thank Winbourne Baptist for entrusting us with this responsibility. I think about how for over 60 years, God has been holding this building for us for this very moment for the sake of the people!

I wanted to share this video link from service last weekend at the Baton Rouge Dream Center campus where the church participated in a celebration dance at the end of service. It so represents the heartbeat of who we are- fun, freedom, and all about the people.

I spent time with my friend Beck Payne who serves as youth pastor at Family Church, as well as catch up with Chad and Nicki Olinde who work at the school. Chad and Nicki attended HPC while they lived in Baton Rouge. It was cool to see them living out the life God intended for them in West Monroe.

Though highly intimidated and totally out of touch, I had a blast speaking to the student at CCS. My heart burns for the next generation. Once a youth pastor, always a youth pastor!… even if I’m no longer cool.

While I was there I also connected with my good friend Joel Dyke who pastors Life Church West Monroe. It is so exciting to do life with so many great churches in this region! Kingdom game-changers in north LA for sure- the devil doesn’t stand a chance here!

On my way home, my seat belt broke. I drove four hours with a constant beeping noise telling me I was unbuckled… I had an interesting conversation with my car all the way home!

I wanted to share this incredible video that we showed on opening weekend in the Arena. It just speaks of the Promises of Our God!

Click here to enjoy the video:

 It is amazing to think that five years ago two volunteers came up with the idea to outreach to those in need of medical assistance who couldn’t afford it. What started in a small closet at the Donaldsonville Campus, is now an outreach that serves the poor and hurting around the world.

36 Reasons why we love Daddy:

He’s fun

He has a big heart for the family

He’s one of the reasons I’m alive

He’s disciplined

He’s a good pastor

One of my favorite preachers

Who dat

Daddy’s little man

Best buds

Tender

He’s a handsome dad

He takes me to lsu events

He has big muscles

He’s the best dad u could ever have

He plays basketball with me

The way daddy loves Jesus

He has a lot of freckles

Buys me smoothies

We built this city on rock and roll

He helps around the house

He gave me a tour in new building

He loves, protects, provides, cares

He’s athletic

He has Jesus in His heart

He breaks the rules

He’s sweet

He’s loveable

He makes me laugh at his dance moves

He’s a great communicator

He makes the best chocolate chip pancakes

Popular

We wrestle

He makes me my coffee

He drives me to school in the morning

We watch the Incredibles

Our names are almost the same