justin j mack

mega-strong rvc

on the same weekend rvc passed the 2000 mega-mark, i got a very timely and encouraging email. 

a very kind lady told me about her "misgivings about mega-churches" and her "concerns about getting lost in the crowd" but a year and a half ago her and her husband decided to give rvc a try because of the variety of small groups offered.

she went on to say that in the midst of a very difficult time of her life, both her and her husband have found so many wonderful friends in their small groups and have grown closer to the Lord.  she said that she could not express her gratefulness for rvc small groups.

i am so proud to be a part of rvc, no matter how big it gets, you can find a small group of friends that will be there during the good times and the hard times!!

india. not just a childhood story

as a child my parents told me stories about a neighborhood friend of my grandfather, the late great missionary, mark buntain.  as a young man he traveled by boat for over two months to fulfill a temporary missions assignment in india.  well his assignment was not temporary, in fact it still continues today long after his death.  little did i know that some 20 years later, i would have the honor of speaking at one of the schools he started.

after 72 hours of traveling, 28 services, in 10 days, in 3 cities, i summarize my india missions experience as intense!!  the crowds of people, the constant noise, the unique smells, and the relentless heat will not soon be forgotten but the beautiful smiles and overwhelming kindness of so many left even a greater impression.

our missionary hosts are to be admired for their incredible sacrifice and commitment to a culture so different from our own. (jonathan, you are a stud even with your man handles) the team of 21 was phenomenal.  my personal highlight was sharing this experience with my amazing parents, brother and his family!!

here are just a few pictures ...

 

1.1 billion

tara and i leave this week to help lead a mission team to india where over 1.1 billion people call home.  neither of us have ever been to india before so we are really excited, but i'm not sure if we are ready for what we are going to see.

we have heard and read so many great things about the people and the places but experiencing the people and the extreme poverty is something that cannot be understood unless you go.  $125 is the average annual income of one of the states we will be visiting, this is so hard to imagine!!

your prayers are greatly appreciated as we try to help with some of the physical and spiritual needs that we are certainly going to encounter.

2008 spring small group guru award

our rvc small group leaders rock!! 

we had such a great time at the small group leader training on monday night.  these trainings are a lot of fun but so incredibly important for the vision and growth of small groups at rvc.  i cannot stress this enough!!!

as promised...the first ever small group guru award goes to...  table 4 - kari cornwell, isabel ketterling, missy perry, mary wavinak, dana mohs, and nancy holte.  congrats ladies!!

to check out what they know... Download rvc_2008_spring_small_group_trivia_game.pdf