There are so many amazing stories from 2012 to remind us of God’s faithfulness at Echo. If you haven’t put your own list together yet, take a few minutes to create one. Remind yourself of how God showed himself over the past 12 months and use it as a motivation and encouragement to make 2013 your best year yet.

Here are some of our highlights from this past year…in no particular order:

1 – Baptism
It was amazing to see 200 people in attendance and 28 baptisms. Nothing reminds us of why we do what we do like seeing people profess their faith through water baptisms.

2 – VBS
It was amazing to see 195 kids attend this years VBS. We had great involvement from our church with 71 volunteer staff represented. We raised 1000.00 dollars for a local mission and 113 children gave their lives to Christ. All the Glory goes to God.

3 – July 4th Celebration
Echo church had its very own firework display in the heart of Pleasant Hill. Families came out for a good time of fun, food, fellowship, fireworks, and community. Can’t wait for next year.

4 – Trunk or treat
Echo church had its second trunk or treat in Pleasant Hill. 1035 People came across our campus. Pleasant Hill sent out the police to help with the traffic. Our community is much larger than we realize. Be in prayer for 2013.

5 – Year End Review
We recently held our end of the year report last Sunday evening at Echo Church. In it we shared how those who call Echo Church their home have been used by God this year to reach and minister to those God has entrusted in our care. 219 People gave their lives to Christ in 2012. We believe God has even greater things in store for those who will say YES. Here is a recap of this last year.

Acts 5:28 says: “We gave you strict orders not to teach in this name,” he said. “Yet you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching and are determined to make us guilty of this man’s blood.”

That’s what I’m talking about.
If they’re going to accuse us of something, accuse us of that: “You have filled your city with the teaching of Jesus.”

Echo Church, let’s fill our cities with the good news of Christ.
Let’s fill the places of poverty with our generosity.
Let’s fill our schools with students who are not ashamed of the Gospel.

The future of our cities is empty and desolate without the power and the presence of God.

Let’s keep preaching, reaching, and giving until our cities overflow and can’t deny it: Fill this city with Jesus.

The other day Landon came running into the room downstairs and asked if I would go on a trike ride with him around the neighborhood. We have been holding time trials for the past several weeks. Justin Cook holds the record and I come in at a close second. So Landon is constantly trying to sharpen his skills and improve his time.

I slipped on my shoes and we grabbed the trikes. So I took the opportunity to grab some video as we went. We peddled along at a neck brake pace when all of a sudden I began loosing control. (Just so you know, these things where created to spin out. That’s what gives them their allure.)

With my focus on my son, one hand steering, and one hand filming with my iPhone, I realized my fate was rapidly heading to an on course collision to the asphalt. The last thing I remember was rolling head over heals a few times trying desperately to protect my phone, while in the process, shredding most of the skin off of the right side of my body.

The lady and her child standing in the garage slowly moved out of sight pretending they didn’t see what just happened. (Common people I saw you see what just happened.) Any way. Landon came running up to me with all enthusiasm and yelled, “That was the greatest move I have ever seen.” I shrugged it off and said with a wincing smile, “That’s how we do it.”

As I drove the rest of the way around the block, I thought about how we get caught up in being a spectator. Yes we’re moving. Constantly doing something for our wife, our husband, our friends, our family members, even our God. But so often at the same time we are a spectator as well. Just because your moving doesn’t mean you have purpose. Just because your moving doesn’t mean you are headed to a particular destination. It’s focused movement that impacts those you love and causes you to arrive at a particular destination unscathed.

When you become a spectator you run the risk of moving off course and wrecking your life. So stay focused and make sure your movement is not negated by you being a spectator in it.

All kids ages K-6th grade are welcome to come to our Under The Seaweed V.B.S. from JULY 23-27 at our Pleasant Hill campus and AUG 6-10 at our Hot Springs campus. We will meet each night 6-8PM. You’ll enjoy:

-Snacks
-Games & Cool Prizes
-Fun, Interactive Music
-Relevant Bible Teaching
-An Inflatable Water Day
-For Kid’s K-6th Grade

Bring the entire family back to see your kid’s perform in the “Finale Show” on V.B.S. Sunday JULY, 29th at our 9:30 or 11:00 morning worship services in Pleasant Hill, located at 1203 N. State Route 7, Pleasant Hill, MO. If you live near our Hot Springs, Arkansas campus, you may attend our finale show on AUG, 12th at our 11:00 morning worship service, located at 109 Hobson Avenue, Hot Springs AR.

This year Echo Church had it’s very own fire work show. It was a great time to get together and celebrate the sacrifices other men and women have made for our freedom. We are a blessed people.

Galations 5:1 was on my heart and mind as we celebrated together. “Stand fast therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free, and do not be entangled again with a yoke of bondage.”