Nathan Neighbors
Follower of Christ, Husband, Father, & Youth Pastor
It’s been a long, but good weekend. Over the last 36 hours or so, I’ve slept for about three of them. We took the college students to the Braves game in Atlanta yesterday while my mom watched the boys. Of course we hit up The Vartisty for dinner. The game ended at around 10:30pm or so, but then we stayed for the Mercy Me concert at the stadium. Obviously, we didn’t return home until late (about 4:00am). And wouldn’t you know it – Ellis was up and ready to go for the day at around 6:30am. Then it was off to church for a full day of ministry that ended just a few minutes ago after our “Dinner & a Movie” night with the youth. Whew…what a weekend.
The college event was great. Thanks to Wayne Gallman for driving the bus through the middle of the night. Thanks also to Hudson Neely, our summer college intern. Hudson, you are so much more than an “intern” – you’re a minister of the Gospel and I am fortunate to have been able to serve with you this summer. God bless you as you head to Nashville today to finish school and as you prepare for your wedding in the spring with your bride-to-be, Lindzey!
Our mission project today was great. I wasn’t sure we would ever finish – but we did. We planted 34 plants, spread mulch, primed and painted the front door, and painted the hand railing…all in less than three hours and in 93° heat. The youth did this to help SPIHN (the homeless ministry that’s located on our church property). Beutifying their entrance will go along way to helping their clients feel better about where they’re living.
I’m very proud of the six youth who served today. Nic, Hunter, BJ, Brittany, Courtney, and Elizabeth – you are all awesome. Thanks also to Jay Moore with Carolina Garden World, Jody Welch for lending a hand, and for Ashley for feeding us!
I hope everyone had fun at the lake today. It was great to spend the day with all of you, just hanging out without any real agenda…riding the boats and going on the tubes. A big “Thank You,” to the Mr. and Mrs. Shaw for hosting us and to Tony and Bob for driving your boats. I think we ended up with about 45 of us at the Lake after everyone found it. I know Anderson and Ellis loved hanging out with the “teenagers.” They played so hard they were asleep by the time they hit the highway.
More than anything, I hope that it gave you the opportunity to connect with each other in a fun way and I pray that you will follow Peter’s example and “get out of the boat.” Be willing to step into the deep water with Christ and walk on the water with him. Have faith in Christ and follow him as you head off to school and back into the deep waters of Spartan High, Dorman and Boiling Spring (to name a few). God wants you to keep walking – no – running after him with all your heart. Don’t let the distractions of bad friends, or bad influences deter you and cause you to sink in to the deep. Keep your focus on your Savior!
By the way, here’s the latest on the path of the cross this summer. Since my last blog about it, Jody brought it home from the mission trip and passed it to Ruth Ann last Sunday. Tonight, Ruth Ann passed it to Lindy Hyatt at the lake.
Nathan Neighbors 
