Happy New Year! As always, I am thankful for everyone who serves so faithfully in our IMPACT Ministries. We had a very productive and artful year at Oak Hills, and we appreciate all of the artists—musicians, sound and lighting and multimedia and camera techs, dancers, actors, choir members, producers, playwrights, poets, stage designers, visual artists, and breakfast teams—who helped make 2011 so. From our annual Intersections Conference to Arts Camp, from our Holy Week to our Advent season, from Men’s Steak Night to Cappuccino Christmas, from our July Arts Month to our busy December, the year 2011 was certainly memorable. At the same time, we said goodbye to some very dear friends and grieved their loss with one another. So while it was memorable, we are happy to turn the page of this last year and move on to 2012.
Speaking of 2012, I want to update you on some things coming up. First, please note that I will be leaving for my Missions Trip to the Philippines February 1-20. For those who haven’t heard yet, I will be teaching at our NAB Bible School in Legazpi City. Specifically, I’ll be giving instruction in worship and the arts to the Bicol Center for Christian Leadership (BCCL) in support of our denomination. I am still looking for financial and prayer sponsorship, so please let me know if you’re interested in partnering with us on it. For more information, please go to my Philippines Missions link.
In my absence, Kent Peterson, former worship pastor at Oak Hills and musician extraordinaire, will be stepping into the gap. Those of us who remember Kent will want to make sure you’re signed up to lead worship the first three weeks of February. Those who don’t know who Kent is…well, you’re in for a treat! I promise, you’ll have a blast!
I also want to give you a heads up on our upcoming Intersections: Faith and the Arts conference coming up on March 17. Last year’s conference was off the hook with some amazing speakers and equally amazing food. And this year’s conference is shaping up to be our best ever. So make sure you mark the date, and sign up for this one-day conference. And bring ALL your artist friends.
Finally, please check out the HEADS UP section for other things coming up on the calendar, including Men’s Retreat, Women’s Retreat, Holy Week and Easter. We look forward to what God has in store for us in 2012. So buckle up and let’s go!
