2008 Innovators Arrive!

"We are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works." - Ephesians 2:10

As we continued to do small and great things to prepare for Summer ministry, the weather here in Southwest Montana continues to look like Winter!  Ministry opportunities through our church in Big Sky, in West Yellowstone, and Yellowstone Nat’l Park continues to “spring” into action even though the weather does not seem to warm up.  Even after returning from my trip to the south, I was able to cross-country ski in Yellowstone Nat’l Park a few times.  There is still enough snow on the ski slopes that our Innovator summer missionaries could also be skiing on the slopes at their arrival in late May.  In the area of being an extension of our church and sharing Christ, I was able to meet twice with 2 young couples who love the Lord and requested that I perform their wedding ceremony.  I officiated a wedding at Big Sky Chapel on May 10^th and also at the Lazy B Ranch on May 17^th.  I also attended 3 Fire Department-related trainings, was “on call” for 3 other nights and will also be attending the monthly meeting of the Gallatin County Association of Chaplain’s on May 30^th.  Our Big Sky Christian Fellowship church is gearing up for its first Mission Trip endeavor to Haiti (June 6-17) and their has been lots of preparations for this to happen. The remainder of May has been devoted to the arrival of the Yellowstone Christian Innovator ministry staff.       YELLOWSTONE INNOVATORS:  In the context of Sending/Serving as Missionaries: We have commitments from our current “Ministry Parents” – Ed & Brenda Geiger and Jean & Liz Page for their return for Summer of 2008, Yea!  We have added a 3^rd set of Ministry Parents (sister/brother-in-law) of Geiger’s: Ellwood & JoAnn Marsh of Pulaski, TN.  We have a full team of 20 Innovators, 1 Semester Missionary, and 3 sets of Missionary Parents.   This summer’s dates are May 22 - August 3^rd, a full 10 weeks!  We had an incredible 5-day Missionary Orientation after the May 22^nd arrival of the Innovators: Testimony sharing, Park Ranger talk, Grizzly Discovery Center, Bible Study Seminar, Sunday School, Comissioning Service, Potlucks, Memorial Service/Tour of Yellowstone and completing with Job check-in day on May 27^th.  This later half of May has been intense for me! Check our SUMMER CALENDAR at http://www.yellowstoneinnovators.com   

SEMESTER MISSIONS:  Jordan Graham was on a Semester Missionary “break” with NAMB for about 3 weeks with his family in Mississippi.  During the remainder of this month he was helpful with putting together the Yellowstone Innovator folders and orientation information.  He was also helpful during the Missionary Orientation to help coordinate the transportation and arrival of all the Missionary staff.  Jordan led in Bible studies, prayer time and overall supervision of the Innovators after their arrival.  It has made a tremendous difference to have someone who is passionate and caring for this ministry and has been where these young missionaries are today as a Yellowstone Christian Innovator.