Mike Edmisten Follower of Jesus. Husband of Nicki. Father of Ryan & Brock. Communicator of the Word.

Why Sports Camp?

We raised a few eyebrows earlier this year when we announced that we were going to hold a sports camp instead of a traditional Vacation Bible School (VBS).  There were a lot of questions.  Some weren't quite sure about this.  These questions were very understandable.  After all, we had never done ANYTHING like this before.  But our Leadership Team got behind Melanie's vision.

Now that Sports Camp is in the books, I think the question of "Why Sports Camp?" has been answered tenfold.  I saw so many things happen last week that I've never seen at a VBS (and I've seen A LOT of them).

1. Our goal was to make some noise in this community.

Done.

We canvassed the entire county with yard signs.  Fliers went home with almost every elemntary age child in our area via their school.  We got a little promo on TV.

2.  We wanted unchurched kids to hear about Jesus in a positive light.

Done.

Consider this particular conversation one of our volunteers shared with me.  When our worship time started on the first night of camp, one of the kids in his group told him, "I thought this was sports camp, not God camp."

By the end of the week, this kid was singing and dancing more than any of the other kids in his group.

3.  We wanted to plant seeds, not only about Christ, but about our church.

Done.  Done.  And done.

The comments from parents were flowing.  Some of them were even applauding for our volunteers as they drove through to pick up their kids on Friday night.

Why Sports Camp?

Those are just a few reasons why.

Sports Camp Pics

Last week blew my mind.  Seriously. I would say that it was awesome, but that would be a gross understatement.

I'll post some more in-depth reviews as the week progresses, but for now, here are some pics of the awesomeness.

Sports Camp on The Sports Authority

A quick heads up…ACC's Sports Camp is supposed to be featured on The Sports Authority tonight.  The show is at 11:30 pm on Channel 12 (WKRC) in Cincinnati.

Tara Pachmayer, one of the sports anchors for Channel 12, visited our Sports Camp last Wednesday.  She indicated that some pics from our week would be on The Sports Authority tonight.

Angels and Demons

We're kicking off a powerful series this weekend called Angels and Demons.  Spirituality is such a hot topic in our culture today.  In many ways, people are more "religious" and "spiritual" than ever before.  People are obsessed about the spirit world…which inevitably leads to a lot of misconceptions and wrong ideas.

For the next two weeks, we're cutting through the hype and exposing the truth of the Bible.  This week, we're going to explore the truth about angels.  Next week, we'll seek the truth about demons.

Be prepared to have your beliefs challenged…your perspective broadened…and your faith strengthened.

Can't wait!

Baptism-palooza

I had the privilege of baptizing my friend, Charlie, today.  That's an experience that never gets old!

ACC, we've had four baptisms in less than a week! Rock on!

When You Least Expect It

I'm currently reading through the book of Luke.  Yesterday I read the account of the angel Gabriel's appearance to Zechariah. (Luke 1:5-17)

As I read this story, it struck me how unexpected Gabriel's appearance was for Zechariah.  Zechariah had been a priest all of his adult life.  He had served in the temple countless times.  He could probably perform his priestly duties in his sleep.  But then, from out of the blue, he witnessed a mighty move of God in the middle of his ordinary routine.

Luke writes that Zechariah was "startled" and "gripped with fear" by this experience.  Even though he was a faithful man of God, he didn't expect to see God's power displayed like this.  He expected to perform his duty in the temple and then go on his way.  But God showed up in an unexpected way and it forever changed the course of Zechariah's life.

But God did this in His time. As I said, Zechariah had been a faithful priest all his life.  It wasn't until he was an old man that God chose to move in this way.

If Zechariah hadn't remained faithful…if he hadn't faithfully carried out his God-given role for so many years…he would have missed out on this powerful move of God.

If you're feeling like God isn't doing much in your life, just hang on.  Stay faithful.  Don't walk away.  You never know when God will show up and everything will change.

God seems to relish the element of surprise.  He enjoys showing up when you least expect it.

Mary Alice McCoskey

I realize that only a few people who read my blog knew Mary Alice McCoskey.  But I wish you all could have met her.

When Nicki and I moved to Crawfordsville, Indiana to accept a youth ministry position, Mary and her husband, Eldon, welcomed us into their home.

We moved to a new state.   We had nowhere to live.  We barely knew anyone in the area.

Eldon and Mary opened their home to us.  They gave us a room.  They fed us.  They rearranged their lives to accomodate us.  Most of us, they loved us like we were their own kids.

Mary went home to be with her Lord on Sunday.  Today, Nicki and I are making a quick trek to Indiana for the funeral service.

I am so thankful that I had the privilege of knowing Mary.  Her legacy will far outlast the 68 years she spent in this world.  Her imapact will be felt for all eternity.

It's Votto-matic

Joey Votto is off the disabled list and will be at first base tonight against the Toronto Blue Jays.

Reds fans rejoice.

Sports Camp Is Rolling

Last night was opening night for ACC's Mega Sports Camp.  It was a fun, loud, passionate, crazy, exciting, sweaty, action-packed evening.  And we're just getting started!

Please keep praying for this week.  I wholeheartedly believe that God has some unbelievable stuff up his sleeve.

And We're Back

I'm back in town after a great vacation.  I'll post a few vacation snippets and pictures later this week.  Right now, I'm in the process of wading through the swamp of emails I received while I was gone.

Comments are enabled once again.

Good to be back…but I still wish I could do my vacation all over again.