The Millennials

The Reality
I recently read an article by Thom Rainer of LifeWay, in which he discussed the generation from form 1980-1991- The Millennials. As America's largest generation, this generation represents also the greatest lostness in relationship to a personal faith in Jesus. Of the 80 million in this generation, only 15 percent have a relationship with the Savior, Jesus Christ.(Romans 10:9-11).

The Hope
We serve a mighty God and His Word is true and sure. The 68 million who are opportunities for witnessing, should first bring us to our knees and then to our feet. Our generation must confess the sin of silence and begin sharing Jesus without fear. They won't know unless we tell.

The Challenge
Our next Share Jesus Without Fear classes begin August 22 & 25, 2010. You can register by clicking here. Join the 30+ others at Anderson Mill who recently completed the last Share Jesus Without Fear class. Don't wait. Millions are waiting to hear.

One Year's Weeds- Seven Year's Seeds

I heard this on a radio gardening show years ago. Dewey Compton was the friend of every farmer, gardener and landscaper in the Houston area. Last night I returned home from a meeting and had just enough light to go outside and pull some weeds in my neighbor's yard. They are out of town and I have been looking after their place. I was about finished when I heard a voice behind me. He called to me again and this time I turned and see a high school student walking toward me with earbuds, and MP3 player in tow. He asked what I was doing and wondered if he could help. "Sure," I said. (I had just gotten to the hard part- the crab grass.) He sat down and began to pull weeds. He said he was bored and was walking so he could pass the time. We dropped handles and bio stuff about our families.

The pile of pulled weeds was growing larger and the conversation was coming around to the future (he would graduate next year.) "Not good enough for big college but too good for community college," were his words. I asked him about church attendance and for the next few minutes we waded through some fast moving, but shallow water about God, religion, his beliefs and my testimony. The weeds were almost gone as was the light. My friend stood up and offered me a hand. We left the door open for future encounters in the yard and parted ways.

'One year's weeds, seven year's seeds." I pray that the seeds that were planted that night would produce a harvest- not of weeds, but of the soul. I am praying that as we all do work, that we will be tuned in to hearing when someone calls our name. Be ready at any hour of the day or night.

Happy Anniversary, Billy Graham Call Center!

It was February 14, 2005, when Anderson Mill opened our first call center for receiving national phone calls through the Billy Graham Telecast. That first night, with trembling and trust, 6 phones rang for almost 2 hours and we received 29 phone calls from all over the US and Canada. Over the next three nights, 3 dozen volunteers would be trained to pray, receive phone calls and help people make their next step toward God. Nine people received Christ as Savior the first night. What an exciting adventure!

Since then, our call center has answered 1,765 calls and helped share the gospel so that 657 people could pray to ask Christ to be their Savior. Our center helped train and start two other centers in Austin at sister churches during the past 5 years. Volunteers from area churches are partnered with Anderson Mill each time the call center opens.

Thank you, Anderson Mill, for making it possible to so many to be a part of this nation-wide network of call centers each month. Pray about joining this exciting ministry in 2010 and you too can answer the phones with us, “Hello. This is the Billy Graham Telephone Center. My name is Al. Did you call to receive Christ as your personal Savior?”

Contact Al Magness: amagness@ambcaustin.org 512-258-5843 X 104 or go to http://www.ambcaustin.org/ for more information.

How to Be Succeessful

Our ABF lesson this week is about success. How we define success often determines the path we take in business, relationships, finances and spiritual things. Jesus, for me, defines success in Mark 10:45 (which happens to be my life verse). Jesus' disciples were growing indiffernet, if not upset at Jesus' constant talk about His coming death. Jesus is headed for Jerusalem in Mark 10 and He begins to tell His disciples how to be successful. It wasn't by giving, being better parents, staying late at work, having a good educaton, or taking time off for important times, as important as these may be. He simply told then TO SERVE. How could they have missed the greatest point in being a success.

Jan & I were coming home last week after grocery shopping and it was getting dark. We noticed a man at the end of our sidewalk. I parked in the garage and went to the rear of the car and began asking what he needed. He was "selling magazine subscriptions" in an effort to turn his life around. After a few moments of listening, I dismissed him and started into the garage. The man (who said his name was "Julius Caesar") asked one final question: "Do you believe in second chances?" Well, I did just then as I asked my Heavenly Father what I was to say next. Mr. Caesar asked if I could give him some advice on how to be successful.

Mark 10:45 came to mind as I told him to "learn to serve other people." He wanted to know where I had learned this and I told how it was from the Bible. I had a second chance to tell him more about Jesus. Often we can serve people the best by telling them about Jesus. One person said that there are more people waiting to hear about Jesus than there are people willing to tell others about Jesus.

Take a moment and discover "How to Be Successful" and read Mark 10:45. Someone will be glad you did.
















I'm told that the government taxes property in Colorado
based on the vista it has. (Ridgeway, CO)

Join H.O.S.T. Team

What a blessing I have received these past few months as a member of H.O.S.T. Team Ministry. Each Sunday I get to stand out in an AMBC parking lot and greet people, learn names of guests and get a sneak peak at all the cool stuff kids bring to church. Sunday I saw a Spiderman key chain a young friend had. There are other places throughout he church where others serve. Bottom line is that this is a ministry that makes a difference each Sunday. Our membership gets to see we care if they are there. Guests get to feel comfortable from the moment they step on the property.

If you were inviting new people into you home for a meal, you would do everything possible making someone feel "at home." That's the H.O.S.T Team Ministry. Consider joining this team. Contact Aaron Franklin if you are ready to serve. afranklin@ambcaustin.org On Sunday, January 24, 2010, you can hear more about this ministry at a special FREE meal following the second worship service. Just ask any H.O.S.T. Team member for more information or directions to this meal.

Thanks Aaron for putting this together.

On Misson or Missional

I read this statement in an article: "On Mission or Missional?" What? Am I waiting for an event or am I developing a lifestyle? That's it. Passive or active. Growing up as a Christian, I waited for the mission trips, the special offerings and the date on my calendar when I could be "on mission." I now realize that I am to be looking for opportunities to serve others. This is how it may look for a family who is missional.
* For your child- Tell your child, "On the way home from school, try to pick up 10 pieces of trash." I saw this in the life of a friend, Ruth Warner. As she walked through our neighborhood, she picked up trash as she walked. 90+ years old and she's missional.
* For your teen- Challenge your teen to offer to help a neighbor, to clean a fence marred by graffiti or to volunteer at a local children's sports event.
*For Adults- Consider being a block parent. Intentionally stand outside when school children are coming home from school. Look for how you might help the latch-key children.
*For the Family- Find a neighborhood park near your home and spend some time pulling weeds, picking up trash. Perhaps you can find an elderly neighbor or single parent and offer to do some basic maintenance for them.

There are many variations of these suggestions. The idea is to be looking for opportunities. When you spot something promising, talk about it as a family before you begin. Make sure you get permission for those projects that are on private property.