HAPPY 4TH OF JULY!

THE 6 "Rs" BEFORE 9 AM

PRESTONWOOD SUMMER CAMPS

Some of the most critical summer ministries we do at Prestonwood are the camps we hold for students. I just returned today from Panama Beach, Fla., where we had more than 500 students at High School Beach Camp.

I had the pleasure of preaching one evening and speaking at the baptism of nearly 40 students in the Gulf of Mexico. I was moved by the sight of the hundreds of students lined up along the shoreline witnessing the baptisms. More than 100 made decisions for Christ ... including 35 salvations and five commitments to full-time service. To God be the glory!

Our Student Ministry staff makes a quick stop at home and then heads to Carolina Creek for the Junior High Camp to lead 230 students at camp. And our Children's Ministry will be leading at Camp WOW. Over the next seven days, 530 second through sixth graders will be ministered to at two separate camps in Stuart, Okla.

I am excited about the life-changing moments that will take place in the life of our students...I'm thankful for the ministry of our staff and volunteers...and I'm grateful for the heart of our church family to love and teach this next generation of leaders.

Dallas Campus Video Update

There’s so much happening with our Dallas Campus, and the excitement we’re seeing is incredible. We’re expecting a great turnout for our Core Group meeting this Sunday at 9:15 a.m. (Horner Center in the Upper School at Prestonwood Christian Academy). Here’s a video update about our third location.







I also thought you’d enjoy this great testimony from Kimberlee Walters-Sanders:

“I’m so excited about the new Dallas Campus! I started attending Prestonwood over 20 years ago when it was at the original site at Hillcrest and Arapaho. Still single then, I moved to north Carrollton and the new campus was only a few miles down the street, which was obviously awesome. In early 2000, I met my husband and he ‘urbanized’ me by moving us to the Lakewood area. Early in our marriage we still made our way north to worship at Prestonwood. Then, it started to get a little more challenging. Yes, children... That’s when we realized how challenging it was to make ‘that’ drive north for our Sunday morning worship at Prestonwood. Although I couldn’t fathom becoming a member anywhere else, we realized we needed to find another place to worship that was a little closer to our new parent chaos. We started ‘sprinkling in’ some Prestonwood to keep the connection but that was never enough... My family and I will be there the first Worship Service and I cannot be happier. I’m so excited to have you back in my life and my family’s life again on a regular basis. Thank you God and thank you Dr. Graham for continuing to reach out to those you touched so long ago through your ministry. There must be thousands like me down here in central Dallas that feel our prayer has been answered. Hallelujah!”

The Fellowship Of The Unashamed

I've noted this bold declaration of faith before and closed my message, "Unstoppable," with it on Sunday. It's not clear who the author is, but these are powerful and challenging words for every believer. Print it out ... keep it with you ... be a part of the fellowship of the unashamed...

I am a part of the fellowship of the Unashamed. I have the Holy Spirit Power. The die has been cast. I have stepped over the line. The decision has been made. I am a disciple of Jesus Christ. I won't look back, let up, slow down, back away, or be still. My past is redeemed, my present makes sense, and my future is secure. I am finished and done with low living, sight walking, small planning, smooth knees, colorless dreams, tame visions, mundane talking, chintzy giving, and dwarfed goals.

I no longer need preeminence, prosperity, position, promotions, plaudits, or popularity. I don't have to be right, first, tops, recognized, praised, regarded, or rewarded. I now live by presence, learn by faith, love by patience, lift by prayer, and labor by power.

My pace is set, my gait is fast, my goal is Heaven, my road is narrow, my way is rough, my companions few, my Guide is reliable, my mission is clear. I cannot be bought, compromised, deterred, lured away, turned back, diluted, or delayed. I will not flinch in the face of sacrifice, hesitate in the presence of adversity, negotiate at the table of the enemy, ponder at the pool of popularity, or meander in the maze of mediocrity.

I won't give up, back up, let up, or shut up until I've preached up, prayed up, paid up, stored up, and stayed up for the cause of Christ. I am a disciple of Jesus Christ. I must go until He returns, give until I drop, preach until all know, and work until He comes.

And when He comes to get His own, He will have no problem recognizing me. My colors will be clear for "I am not ashamed of the Gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes."

STILL CELEBRATING EASTER!

Thought I’d share this video highlighting the incredible time we experienced at Prestonwood during Easter Weekend. You can watch the entire service by clicking here.

HE IS RISEN!

Now after the Sabbath, as the first day of the week began to dawn, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary came to see the tomb. And behold, there was a great earthquake; for an angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door, and sat on it. His countenance was like lightning, and his clothing as white as snow. And the guards shook for fear of him, and became like dead men.

But the angel answered and said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified. He is not here; for He is risen, as He said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay. And go quickly and tell His disciples that He is risen from the dead, and indeed He is going before you into Galilee; there you will see Him. Behold, I have told you.”

--Matthew 28:1-7