2009 Greater Milwaukee Area Pastor Appreciation Breakfast to feature NLT Study Bible Software

MILWAUKEE — Appreciation for the Lord’s servants can be traced to the Apostle Paul as he worked among the first Christian assemblies. In 1 Timothy, he wrote,  “The elders who direct the affairs of the church well are worthy of double honor, especially those whose work is preaching and teaching’ (I Tim. 5:17). And, in 1 Thessalonians, he noted,  “Respect those who work had among you, who are over you in the Lord and who admonish you. Hold them in the highest regard in love because of their work” (I Thess. 5:12-13).

On Wednesday October 21, pastors and fullitime staff who are engaged in pastoral care are invited to a free breakfast hosted by the Christian Courier Newspaper. This year’s event will be held at the Best Western Hotel on Moreland Road in Brookfield WI at 9:00AM.

The full breakfast will include a presentation by the Christian Courier’s editor, Dr. Dennis Hill, who will provide a critical review of Bible Study software programs and an overview on the state of technologies available to ministries today on a low-or-no budget basis.  Special music will be provided by Christiaan Snedeker.

           Pre-registration is required by calling 414-344-7300, going on-line at www.PastorsBreakfast.com or emailing RSVP@PastorsBreakfast.com

Each guest will receive nearly $100 worth of products and other reference materials, including the top-rated Windows-based Bible study package LOGOS/Libronix containing the NLT Study Bible, and Richard DeHaan’s “Your Pastor & You” pamphlet from RBC Ministries. 

The NLT Study Bible was released by Tyndale Publishing in 2008 and contains the following features:

•  25,900 study notes (over 820,000 words)
• Maps, charts, and illustrations
• Libronix Digital Library System software engine
• Cornerstone Commentaries:
• 10 section introductions
• 406 articles and profiles
• Basic and advanced word and data type searching
• Online training articles/tutorials
• 100 Greek and 100 Hebrew word studies
• 100 quotations from modern & ancient writers

We gratefully thank Tyndale Publishers and ProBuColls Bookstore for co-sponsoring

Christians Invade Oshkosh for Lifest 2009 – Life, Love and Music!

Today concludes the four-day camping and music festival in Oshkosh WI, called Lifest.  With daily attendance between 16,000-20,000 during this, its 11th year, Christian families and youth descend upon the Sunnyview Expo Center to participate in contemporary praise and worship, purchase Christian paraphenalia, and rock to sounds of 150 Christian artists from around the world.

Lifest is sponsored by Life Promotions, Inc. in Appleton.  Life Promotions was founded by Bon Lenz, long considered one of the nation’s top youth speakers, and Lifest is just one of many outreach programs intended to “instill hope in youth.”    Lenz speaks to over 300,000 teens and parents across North America each year through school assembly programs and events. His down-to-earth style and genuine concern leave a lasting impression…He explores sober issues while using his unique gift of humor, and somewhere between laughing at one of his embarrassing moments and getting choked up over one of his true stories, they realize lives have been changed. 
 

Many of the youth at Lifest have been coming for years, and from sunrise devotions to midnight bonfires and fireworks, the days are filled with music, food and friendship.  Inflatable amusements, miniature golf, bungie swings, skateboard park, camel rides, and rock climbing are just a few of the outdoor activties while indoors, there are vendor exhibits, an Internet cafe, and gaming, including a life-size chess set.

And then there are positive messages by comedians, youth pastors, illusionists, and even one-on-some sessions with musical artists, themselves, like Jeremy Camp.  The messages are clear, and the music is, well, loud, too!  Tammy Borden, marketing director for Life Promotions, told the Christian Courier that Lifest isn’t just for Christians. “Our intention is to draw kids and their families here for a positive and encouraging time,” Borden said.  Isn’t that a message that everyone ought to hear?

One of the most unique exhibits at Lifest is the Chaplain Corps of the Wisconsin National Guard.  Equipped with humvee, personnel carrier, and even a Blackhawk helicopter, almost 30 guards-people volunteered for the week-long duty to operate a rock-climb, hand-out recruting material, and even stake-out and setup campground facilities. 

Full event tickets cost $90 this year, with early-bird pricing prior to July 1.  With the economy challenging every home budget, Lifest is proving to be a winning and affordable formula.  With an average price of $35 for a single ticket to hear a major national recording artist, Lifest includes 150 bands, who include many of today’s top performers – Toby Mac peformed on Thursday, followed by the David Crowder Band, Third Day and Jeremy Camp on each of the following days.  The event on Sunday is open to the public and free of charge!

As one group of collegians screamed – “Lifest is happening…just awesome.”  No doubt due in large part to the lifting of the Lord so centrally at this event.  Most every artist shares their testimony on stage, offering their music, comedy or speech as a witness to the spirit-filled power of Christ in their lives.  Regardless of one’s taste in music, there is certainly something special at Lifest as young people share the love of God with one another. 

The next installment of Lifest will run from July 7 through July 11, 2010.  Checkout www.Lifest.com for more information.

ProBuColls SoftBall League Update – July 6, 2009

LIGHTHOUSE Announces Free Concerts – Aug 22

Lighthouse Ministries, Inc., a nondenominational ministry welcomes the public to free concerts Saturday, August 22 from 4-9 pm at Regner Park in West Bend, Wis.  Three groups performing include:

4:00-5:15 pm ‘Koine’  – a six-piece band from Milwaukee with a desire to bring back those great hymns of faith from years past. They have creatively
transformed the hymns into a modern mix of various styles of music blends. Their desire is to show everyone the beauty and potential that lies in traditional hymns and to make them hear the words with greater meaning. The band has toured 12 different states and has been well received in the release of their 3 CDs. www.koinemusic.com.

4:00-5:00 FREE HOT DOGS!

5:45-7:00pm “Don Wharton” — national artist from Fort Wayne, IN, has spent 30 years on the road performing over 3,000 concerts. His encouraging and uplifting style has inspired thousands of people to a greater faith in Jesus Christ.
Don has produced 15 albums and has opened for such Christian artists as Michael Card, Carman, Don Francisco and Jessie Dixon. He has also worked with 60’s recording sensations Paul and Paula and acclaimed actor Beau Bridges.  Don has also had some tests of faith in his life when a small commuter plane he was in crashed in the Bering Sea off the coast of Alaska. All survived the chilling water—they are the only known survivors in the history of the Bering Sea that have overcome this type of crash.

7:30-8:45 “Bill Murk”  — a world-class premier Christian violinist who has played at the Grand Old Opry and before 50,000 at a Promise Keeper event. He has toured 50 states and 40 countries with a fresh approach that bridges the musical gap between generations. He has accompanied and recorded with Steve Green, Amy Grant, Fernando Ortega, Point of Grace, Buddy Greene, 4 Him and the Gaither vocal band. Bill’s eclectic style ranges from traditional, celtic, pop, jazz, bluegrass and contemporary.

This event is completely FREE of charge and concert-goers are invited to bring their lawn chairs, blankets, and picnic baskets to the park. Door prizes will be given away and refreshments and pizza will be available.   Rain out location is the West Bend High School auditorium.  For more info, click here.

 
Let us know about your experience…register and leave your feedback below!  And may the LORD bless your time abundantly.

Heart-Fire Ministries Summer Outreach Efforts

Heart-Fire Ministries along with World Harvest Community Church is collecting specific
school supplies to fill backpacks for children in need. Below is a list of volunteer
opportunities and specific items needed:

Backpacks (All ages)
(Inexpensive) Headphones/Earbuds (For computer use)
Hand Sanitizer (8oz. of smaller)
Facial Tissue
Washable Wide Markers
Colored Pencils (12 ct.)
Pencil Boxes/Pouches
Scissors

Volunteers
Packing Backpacks / Friday, August 7 / 6:00pm
Outreach / Saturday, August 8 / 9:00pm – Noon
Held at The Fire Escape / 819 N. 27th St. / Milwaukee
Call (414) 445-9490 to RSVP

HeartLove Place Serving Summer Food Program

This summer, HeartLove Ministries will once again offer their annual Free Summer Food Program to organizations that provide activities and services for children from June 6 to September 4, 2009.

The Summer Food Service Program (SFSP), which is funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and is administered by the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction, provides nutritious meals to children during the summer, when free and reduced-price school meals are unavailable. Free meals will be made available to eligible children 3-18 years of age and under.

“Children need good nutritious food all year long” said, Vanessa Claypool, Executive Director of HeartLove Place Ministries. HeartLove Place Ministries will provide catering of hot meal delivery, USDA approved menu planning, paperwork preparation, and training for site staff free to qualifying organizations.

Interested organizations, churches and para-church organizations wishing to participate can call Vanessa Claypool at HeartLove Place Ministries at (414) 372-1550 ext. 105 or visit their website at HeartLovePlace.org to learn more about this and other programs.