Exile 2008!

Our first annual Exile Leadership Retreat is coming soon! See the main website for details. This year Jordan Hubbard will be speaking about the call to follow Christ. Keep this weekend in your prayers.

Emily Baptism

Please leave a comment or blessing for Emily. Congratulations Emily!

HIGHWAY

The first HIGHWAY event will take place on November 11! Highway kicks off a student led worship designed to help us love God. It is exciting to think of the potential this night has with the amazing student leadership that exists in this ministry.

Has God put one of your friends on your heart to bring with you to church, but you weren't sure how they would respond to a large Sunday morning event? Would you like to participate in leading others in prayer, song, reading scripture, or by sharing the good news of what God is doing in your life? Are you looking for a weekly event that offers the renewal that only comes from worshipping the Creator? HIGHWAY is the place where it is going to happen. Please keep this event in your prayers.

Having a Transforming Summer

I don't know if you are excited like me about the new 'Transformers' movie, but I am pumped. I grew up with Transformers and I can not wait to see them on the big screen. I love the tag on the movie poster. "Their War; Our World." Doesn't it just get you excited to see this film?

On Wednesday nights, we have been talking about this coming summer and what it takes to have a spiritual summer. I believe God wants to transform you into something different, something new. I believe Satan wants to fight for you, in your everyday world. I wanted to give you three things to help you contribute to growing this summer.

1) Set a goal- What is it that you want to change into? Who's spiritual life do you want your to most resemble? By setting a goal, you determine where you will be by the end of the summer instead of just crossing your fingers and hoping for the best.

2) Spend time with God- Relationships only grow when you spend the time. Here is the reality: every second that Satan can distract you from God, the advantage goes to Him. Find the time. God is there ready to be with you.

3) Put Others First- Pride is one of Satan's finest tools. When he can make you think that you are better or to good for others, he can really start doing a number on your spiritual life. But when you decide to put others first (Go out to Wayman Manor, work at the love of Christ) God will build you up in humility and patience.

This can be a transforming summer for you. God is ready to take you to a new place in your spiritual walk, but you have to help Him. God bless your summer!

Q&A with Cole Smith

WHY Blog: Cole, we are very excited about having you here this summer. Before we get into summer stuff, how was this semester of school for you?
Cole: So far this semester has been going great. I promise you guys that 15 hours of school a week is lot better than 35 hours y'all have. I also managed to find a girl who is willing to go out with me this year, so all in all I have to say things are a lot better than I could have hoped.

WHY Blog: What are you most excited about concerning this summer?
Cole: I am really looking forward to coming back and seeing how WHY has grown closer to Jesus and seeing him reign in your lives...and Trek.

WHY Blog: What are your goals for this summer? And how can we help make them happen?
Cole: I really want to build closer relationships with more of you. I think a lot of you have a lot to teach me and hopefully I can teach you a thing or two also. And if you guys would give me feedback while I'm there it would be great. I am really looking for ways to improve my ministry and my relationships with those around me.

WHY Blog: The last time we saw you, you had a beautiful young woman with you. Inquiring minds want to know who is she and can we expect to see her around a little this summer?
Cole: She is previously mentioned "girl who is willing to go out with me." Her name is Abby Loe. She is a senior psychology major here at ACU. And right now, odds are looking pretty good that she'll be spending some time in Temple this Summer.

WHY Blog: When it comes to this summer, what can we be praying for as it approaches?
Cole: Just pray that God will use me and prepare me to serve y'all in ways that I will only be able to do through him.

WHY Blog: Because we are all just so curious, what is your favorite cereal?
Cole: Cinnamon Toast Crunch still reigns supreme in my mind.

WHY Blog: Thank you for time and we can not wait to get you here for the summer.

And the summer intern is...

WHY is getting some help this summer. The guy coming in is smart, funny, and passionate about Jesus. He is excited about working with you and the best part is we already know him pretty well. He is our very own...

Cole Smith!!!

Check back soon for a Q&A Session with Cole.

Post any questions you have for Cole.

We are not gone yet!

I know many of you are upset because of Megan and I's annoucement on Sunday. Our intentions were NEVER to hurt you guys. I hope we have shown you how much we do love you and care for you. Like I said Sunday, we are not gone yet. We have four months we get to laugh, serve, learn, and grow together. We have to do what we do best (no matter the circumstance) and that is be the hands and feet of Jesus- to each other and the rest of the world.

Because we want to know you guys better and create ways to stay in connection with you, Megan has set up a MySpace account for us. Here is the link: http://www.myspace.com/m_mpeacock

Also, do not forget to sign-up for Chat with Matt. This will take place on Wednesday nights from 5:45pm-6:15pm. The sign-up sheet is on my door. You don't have to come by yourself either, but I do ask that you limit it to no more than three of you at a time.

Again, Megan and I truly do love you guys and want to make this transition as easy as possible. If you have an idea or would like to see something happen during this transition time-let me know. Post it. I can not promise that it will happen, but I can do my best.

Matt