Happy New Year!

I hope that you are as excited about 2014 as I am! There is just something about a new year that has always given me a renewed sense of hope and anticipation.

Personally, 2014 stands to be a great year for Laura and I because if all goes well we will become parents for the first time. Another landmark for me is that 2014 is the year that I turn the BIG 40! Wow, that used to seem so far away!

I am also excited about what 2014 will bring for Awaken Ministries. Honestly, I have more ideas than I do time! So, here is what is where we are going over the next 12 months:

1. Blogs: The weekly blog and email have been the best way for me to communicate two things to you: 1. What the vision and thinking behind Awaken Ministries is and 2. To keep you updated with what is going on. I would like to expand the blogs to include guest writers, interviews, personal stories, and commentaries.

2. Offering a second class that builds off of the first class. In “Christians That Changed the World…and How You Can, Too!”, we talked about what others have done to help redeem our culture for Christ. In this second class, we will take a more in-depth look at what we must do to be intentional about our spiritual growth and how to think differently in a world that can easily distract us from Him. It will be a hands-on, activity-driven class that will lead the participants towards Christ-like thinking.

3. Offer “Christians That Changed the World…and How You Can, Too!” to other churches in the area.

4. Turn the handouts from that class into a small booklet. I think the presentation will be more “professional” that way.

5. Form a Board of Advisors. There are 3 reasons why I am wanting to form this board: 1) I think it is important to have accountability in ministry work. 2) I want the wisdom of others to help shape this ministry. 3) No one person is gifted enough to do ministry alone.

6. Follow the Lord’s lead!!! I have other ideas for ministry but I want to make sure I am doing His work and not something that is my work alone. Pray that I would keep faithful to Him!

Thank you for your time and prayers! May 2014 be a blessed one for all of us!

More to come…
Jeremy