This year a group from our church went up to Toronto, Canada, to help run and support Bethany Baptist Church's vacation Bible school.

Here's the recap of our Youth Group Europe trip which incorporated Rome, Italy, and the Baptist Youth World Conference in Leipzig, Germany.

Seems like growth is everywhere we look these days at Southview.  Attendance in both Sunday worship and Sunday Morning Bible Study is up considering it’s the summer, finances are in good shape, this year we had two significant mission trips go simultaneously and both were outside the U.S., summer programs for the children are well attended and ongoing, new visitors are coming and returning on a regular basis, new families are joining and most importantly people are being saved and baptisms continue to be a part of many worship services.  It’s an exciting time at Southview and as Elders we believe this is only the beginning of what God is planning to do.

We also know that with growth come many challenges.  In the weeks and months ahead we’re certain there will be obstacles, roadblocks, resource limitations, and many unforeseen events that may cause us to waiver from the work God is preparing for us.  I’m reminded this week of just how great and awesome God is and of Jesus’ teaching to his disciples about faith.  In Matthew 17:20 he tells them that with only faith the size of the tiny mustard seed you can say to a mountain move and it will move. 

How awesome is that!?  Is there anything God cannot do, is anything impossible for Him? Of course not and yet it is during times of great change that we see our faith tested most, and coming at us head on is great change.  All of us can sense God’s working within the body at Southview and we as Elders realize with change and growth come great responsibility.  We know that God will only provide us with what we demonstrate to Him we can be good stewards of, and it is in these early days of new growth that we need to step up and demonstrate to Him how capable we are through our deeds and words.  In this way we’ll reveal to Him and the world around us the level of our faith and commitment to His son Jesus and to the building of Christ’s church.

Job tells us that God even moves mountains without the mountains knowing it and Ezekiel tells us God is awesome and to be feared or respected.  He tells us that God will overturn mountains and their cliffs will crumble and fall to the ground.  As we return from our summer vacations and begin to look at the coming months at Southview let’s remember that we serve an awesome God with whom nothing, absolutely nothing, is impossible.  If we’re about accomplishing His will and His work we will succeed, God will make it so – even if we have to move a few mountains to do it.

We made it back... and all in one piece!!! Apart from the crazy flight travel we endured, the trip was awesome! Leipzig, though a small town, really grew on us, especially after experiencing the craziness of Rome. The Baptist Youth World Conference exposed us to what I believe was the best worship I've experienced in a long while. Thanks to Matt & Juls Hollidge and the band for truly bringing us closer to the heart of worshipping our awesome God. We made new friends and bonded closer as a group. I'm sure it is not something we will ever forget.

I was truly blessed to have travelled with 20 brothers and sisters, who all in their unique way, have shown me a glimpse of what heaven will be like. Thank you.

Well, we made it and we are surviving!!! The weather has been incredibly beautiful and so far we've averaged over 8 miles walking each day! But let me start from the beginning!!!

It was not a good start. We arrived at check in only to find out that our connecting flight from Munich to Rome was cancelled... so we were rerouted thru Frankfurt... After quite an eventful trip with the group making themselves well acquainted with just about everyone (in a good way! It included Rob being screamed at by a German security officer... it had something to do with the bald head and taking photos in secured areas!), we finally made it to Rome!

Italy is like another world (lost in the twilight zone!). Airport security was so lax that we all somehow ended up in the wrong place to pick up our luggage (the national airline area)... so we went through customs and security, walked around to the right place, went through security, picked up our bags and went through security again... we were actually checked only once, and everytime the buzzer went off when one of us went thru the metal detector, the guard just waved us through!

From the Spanish Steps to Villa Borghese, from the Coliseum to the Trevi Fountain, from the Catacombs to Rob's uncle's gelato store... we've been pretty busy. This evening we're heading back downtown to Piazza Navona to experience the sites of Rome by night. Tomorrow Rob will be preaching at a local Evangelical church followed by a pasta lunch and time planned with Bill Quinert. He will be talking to us about the difficulties of being Christian and the challenges of outreaching in Italy.

So, apart from the daily 8 mile walks, the little bit of sunburn and the occassional mosquito bite... we are all fairing well! It's been great to see the kids and their reaction to the so different environment  they now find themselves in. Especially the historical factor... you cannot hide the significance of Christianity in this place. The dominance of an ancient world power that could not stop a movement that began from a lowly Jewish man from a small, insignificant town, in a small, insignificant provence. The sacrifice those Christians made to further God's word, not only prepared to suffer for their faith, but also die for it... this is one thing that as a teacher, you hope the teaching and the talking will help people understand. But it is something else when you experience it, touch it, and physically see the place where so many gave their lives!... and our kids are experiencing that here and now.

The Southview Sluggers were crowned Softball champions last night after defeating the top seeded team coming into the playoffs by 9-8. In a nail biter, the winning run was scored at the bottom of the final inning with 2 outs! It was a great effort from all players, but a special mention needs to go to the coach, Don Collins, whose mastery of game tactics and motivational inspiration kept us all playing at 110%! Good on you guys! A big thank you to all of you who showed up to support the team, it was much appreciated.