Newsletter June 2008
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May/June 2008
Isn’t it amazing how fast time flies?! We’ve done a lot of living and ministering since our last newsletter. The Lord continues to keep our life full of people, worship, family, prayer, and a myriad of other opportunities to minister. Each day is an open door to write a song, plan a worship service, pray with a friend, and most importantly - listen to the Lord and follow His leading.
Ladies Conferences and Retreats
One of the greatest blessings in recent months in our ministry has been the opportunity for me to speak and lead worship at women’s retreats and conferences. Last fall I was the speaker and worship leader for a retreat for First Baptist Church of Arlington, TX. I was so thrilled to receive a letter from one of the ladies who told me that she had used some of the witnessing tools I had shared in being "the Fragrance of Christ" with her college Sunday School class, and two of the girls gave their lives to Christ that day! That’s what it’s all about! In February I had the privilege of leading the worship for a Women’s Convocation at the New Orleans Baptist Seminary. It was a powerful time as women involved in ministry from around the country worshipped and learned how to better lead and teach in the churches that they ministered in. I was especially blessed by our dynamic speaker, Priscilla Shirer. I was also able to go out to Metairie and visit our good friend, Vera Berndt. Remember Vera? - many of you generously gave to help re-build her home after Hurricane Katrina. It was such a blessing to see how her home is coming together, and remember that the wonderful friends of our ministry had a part in that. She could not get done thanking me for all you have done to help. In the past few months I have also been blessed to speak and lead worship for two women’s "Teas" in Glen Rose, TX and Dallas, TX, and also a retreat for Travis Avenue Baptist Church in Fort Worth.
State Conventions
This past January and March, Chris and I both traveled first to Illinois and then to Oregon to lead worship for their state conventions. Because of a flight delay, we literally "ran in and sang" at the Illinois conference, but the Lord took over and we really sensed His presence with us. Both events were wonderful times of worship and hearing great preaching. At the Oregon conference, we were also asked to participate in a Q&A session where we were able to encourage other worship leaders, most of whom were leading worship in churches of 100 or less.
"God Still Moves"- The Best of Chris & Diane, 1985-2005
Because of your faithful giving to this ministry, we were able to release our new compilation CD last year. We’re so thankful for how well it has been received, and just to have had the opportunity to make it available. We sent a copy to some of our missionary friends in Africa, and I just wanted to share a few words with you that they sent to us by email:
"Today we received the CD you sent us. We feel so blessed to get this. You have been such an encouragement to us. The arrival of the CD came at a timely time in our lives. Ministry to our target people, South Asians who live in Kenya, is difficult and the work often feels non-existent. They mostly follow Islam or Hinduism, openly and unashamedly worship idols, and persecute the ones in their culture who follow Christ. It’s difficult to watch their lost-ness. Added to this is the stress that living in a third world country brings. We’ve been a little discouraged and entertained thoughts of giving up more than once in recent weeks. Your CD will be a much needed and bright reminder of God’s love during this time. We just wanted you to know how important the things you do to minister to people, even to those who are supposedly trying to be ministers as well, can be."
Song-writing
We are very excited about a new aspect of Chris’ ministry at Prestonwood. Along with his responsibilities as worship planner and leader, he has been asked to start a "song-writer’s ministry." We have quite a few musicians in our church who have written in the past or are beginning to, and it has been very exciting for Chris to get this ministry launched. We just enjoyed a "writer’s workshop" this weekend with song-writer/arranger Robert Sterling from Nashville that was wonderful. And several wonderful songs "from the heart of Prestonwood" have already been birthed. Please pray for this new, exciting ministry!
New news!
We have some exciting news to share with you. Over the Christmas holiday, Jennifer and Stephen surprised us with the news that we will become grandparents! On August 2nd, little Elizabeth Joy is due, and we couldn’t be more excited. They’ve already given us our names - "DeeDee and Pops", which we love. But my witty Dad suggested that because Chris has attention deficit disorder, we should be called "DeeDee and ADD"! Ha! We love it!
We want to thank you so much for your prayers and support of this ministry. You are a blessing to us!
Chris & Diane
Leading worship at FBC Arlington’s Women’s retreat |
Chris leading worship at the Cross-raising of our new church building at Prestonwood North |
What a blessing to be on the same worship team with Priscilla Shirer! |
Sharing a testimony at the New Orleans Seminary Women’s Convocation
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Vera’s house is still not done, but it’s coming along great!
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After Hurricane Katrina, many of the houses are now being rebuilt on stilts
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