Next Level

Wow, we just came back from hearing some testimonies from a bunch of the high school students who are attending the Next Level program at our church. Next Level is a two-week intense discipleship program that we've offered here in the summer for the last three years. The program runs from 9 to 9 everyday, Monday through Friday, and is a combination of prayer, worship, teaching, serving, goofing off and having fun.

This year we have just over 100 students who have given up two weeks of their summer to grow in their relationship with Jesus Christ and each other. I wish you could have heard what we just heard. These students are the real deal and as they shared with us the things God has been teaching them the last week in a half we just shook our heads in amazement. The insight that these young people have is truly inspiring as they went around the room and talked about how God was changing them and how much they were in love with Jesus and willing to give Him their lives.

A few of them spoke of how hard it was to lose some of their other friends because of their commitment to become a true-blue follower of Jesus, and these are kids who are still in a season of their lives when relationships are everything.

Well, I just wanted to share with you that we just left a room full of hope. A hope for a brighter future, a hope for America and a hope for the world. Jesus is still changing lives here on earth and He is doing it here in the lives of some high school students at Valley Family Church. Beth and I are so thankful for Matt McCarty our pastor/director over high school and middle school ministries and Jeff (PJ) Werkmeister our high school pastor. These two young men have a heart after God and a love for these kids that is real and genuine and their work is truly impacting their generation and beyond.

Thanks Matt and PJ for making a difference in the lives of these kids, and for what you've done in the lives of the four Jones kids. We will be forever grateful for your efforts. We love you guys.

So, if you've ever wondered if this world has a chance, then be encouraged because there is a generation of Jesus lovers and people servers who are being raised up in Kalamazoo, Michigan who are ready to take themselves and the world around them to the Next Level.

Yours for Him-

Jeff

A Day of Solitude

What a day I've had. I'm one of those guys who enjoys a little time alone. Hope that doesn't sound too self-centered, but I know there are others out there just like me. We love people and to share our lives with others, but every so often it's nice just to get alone and get quiet. I've had one of those days today, sitting all alone on our back deck by the pool wrapping up this weekend's message. It's been good just to spend some time with my Bible and my Lord talking about life.

In just a little while I'm heading out with my wife to play a round of golf with some other couples and have a nice dinner with some new friends. What a great way to end a day of solitude with nice conversations and a lot of laughs.

Thank you Lord!

Preparing for a Message

I'm taking a little break from my studies to talk about the sermon that I'm working on. What an awesome privilege it is to share with our congregation from the Word of God. It's such an awesome responsibility that should never be taken lightly.

Today we are preparing the last message in a series called "Slacker" and the message deals with jerking the slack out of our 9 to 5. As you can imagine it's a message of how we can glorify Jesus Christ through our work lives. I'm going to be using an example from the life of David that will remind us all that he didn't start out being the"King David" we all know and appreciate, but that he started his journey much lower on the org chart. In fact, he was the youngest of eight boys, but there was something special about this young man and his approach to life that guided him from shepherding his father's sheep to shepherding a entire nation. So my prayer today is that God will continue to guide my thoughts to allow this message to touch the hearts and minds of our people, helping them to apply these simple principles to their lives and glorify God everyday in their 9 to 5.

Like it says in Colossians 3:23, "and whatever you do, do it heartily as to the Lord and not to men." May all of our "whatever we do's" today show off our love and commitment to Jesus.

In Him-

Jeff

100,000 Miles

I've been trying to remember how many times I've driven a car past 100K miles. I've been driving for 36 years, and I'm pretty sure that every new car I've owned I've driven beyond this special mark on the odometer. We crossed this milestone last night coming home from watching our son Eric play some AAU b-ball up in Grand Rapids. Had to stop and take a picture to prove it.

The Gideon's

I spoke this morning to the state convention of the Gideon's. What a cool group who are totally committed to sharing the Good News of Jesus Christ through the distribution of Bibles and leading folks down the Roman Road to personal faith. I shared with them how it was through a Gideon Bible placed in at hotel room in Traverse City Michigan lead to my personal commitment to Jesus. I hope they were encouraged to see what their work has done in my life.

Day One 2.0

Going to speak tomorrow at the state convention of the Gideon's. I couldn't be more thankful for this organization. It was through a Gideon placed Bible in a hotel room in Traverse City that I gave my life to Jesus Christ over 25 years ago. What a journey of faith it's been ever since. We'll never know the name of the faithful Gideon volunteeer who made sure that there was a Bible in that room. But because of their service to Jesus Christ I was saved, atttended Bible School and now with my wife, we pastor Valley Family Church in Kalamazoo, Michigan. A church that ministers to nearly 4,000 people every weekend. Thank God for the Gideon's! Can't wait to tell them myself how grateful I am.

Day One

It begins today! Many of you are probably wondering what I'm thinking about today. Well, let me tell you... not much. Just testing out a new blogging service for our website jeffandbethjones.com. Peace out my people!