“Now learn this parable from the fig tree: When its branch has already become tender and puts forth leaves, you know that summer is near. Matthew 24:32

July 29, 2015

Hi Church Family,

It is a wonderful thing, this Catskill Mountain Christian Center, and I am glad to be a part of it with you. Every day at CMCC we are lifting up Jesus before our families, our community and the heavens, rejoicing in His presence, power and love. Who would ever have thought that God Almighty would care so deeply and unfold such magnificent plans for our humble mountain community? Praise the Lord! His mercy endures forever as He has dealt with us bountifully!

I love the way Jesus loved people. I mean, take any text and think about the message of God’s love through His son, Jesus. A sickly woman pushes her way through a crowd just to touch the hem of Jesus’ garment and: BAM… healed! A crooked tax collector climbs a tree just to get a glimpse of the Savior and: BAM… a brand new heart! A career fisherman sees Jesus walking on the water and asks to join Him and: BAM… Peter walks upon the water. A military officer asks Jesus to heal his servant and: BAM… long-distance healing achieved. We can go on and on! I can only hope that when we appear before Him one day soon in eternity we will be acknowledged as a group that kept Jesus’ testimony alive and believed that what He did for the people in the Bible, He would do for us!

Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. (Matthew 11:28) This is the Jesus we preach at Catskill Mountain Christian Center. There is no hole too deep, no sin so egregious, no failure so great, no habit so powerful, no memory so bad, no trauma so devastating that the Lord Jesus Christ cannot find you, redeem you, heal you and multiply blessings to you! BAM… that’s the word of God to the members of CMCC and all who will hope for His best!

As usual we will take a break from many of our regular ministry activities throughout August. This is our way of showing our gratitude for your hard work and hopefully allowing some more free time to enjoy our glorious summer in the Catskills! Sunday services will continue as usual and the Family Table will be open but most other activities will cease for the month. There is a also youth event/concert event scheduled with details forthcoming.

Just to bring you up to date on recent happenings here at CMCC:

Our Spanish service is changing time from Saturday evening at 6:00 PM to Sunday afternoons at 1:00 PM. We have discussed this for some time and our hope is that Sunday might be more convenient for folks. We have grown as a ministry team to a place where I believe we are ready for multiplication to occur. If you have not experienced one of our Spanish services yet, come check it out sometime! You’ll be glad you did. Thanks to all who are sacrificing time and talent to make this outreach possible. For God is not unjust to forget your work and labor of love which you have shown toward His name, in that you have ministered to the saints, and do minister. (Hebrews 6:10)

In June, Pastor Bob Engelhardt attended The Future Conference in San Diego, CA.  Many national frontline leaders shared their stories and strategies for bringing the cause of Christ to bear in our generation. There were over three thousand in attendance. The governing council (of which Pastor Bob is a member) of the United States Coalition of Apostolic Leaders (USCAL) also met during this conference with Joseph Mattera articulating the Four R Vision of USCAL: Revival, Restoration, Reformation and Reconciliation. This is a very exciting vision and will have an impact on our bright future!

Also in June, Nancy Engelhardt was keynote speaker at City of Refuge Church in San Antonio, TX. She presented her insightful teaching on Malachi 3 (as she recently preached here at CMCC) with amazing results. It is always wonderful to see chains fall off under the liberating Word of God!

On June 19 Catskill Mountain Christian Academy held its annual year-end awards, recognition and celebration program. This marked the completion of twenty years of scholastic excellence and faithfulness to God as students received awards for academic achievement, character development and spiritual life. The evening was highlighted by musical performances of various student string ensembles under the direction of CMCA music teacher Mrs. Marie Tucker.  

On June 20-21 we hosted a ministry weekend with Pastor John and Cecilia Bennedetti from Mexico. Activities included a men’s meeting on Saturday, Sunday morning message, and a woman’s meeting with Cecilia on Sunday evening.

Our Bluegrass Concert Series is in full swing each Wednesday evening throughout the summer. In partnership with CitiHope International, this is the fourth summer we’ve hosted live music in our front lawn gazebo. Various bluegrass bands from throughout the greater region are on deck to entertain, so bring your lawn chairs and toes for tapping! Arts and crafts are offered for children and you’ll feel like you’ve stepped back in time to taste a piece of good old American pie.

John Kelly, head of the International Coalition of Apostolic Leaders (ICAL) was in town for a series of meetings from July 1-8. Apostle Kelly is an old friend of CMCC and very important church leader having come to Margaretville after preaching at a conference in Brazil before 120,000 people. He preached at CMCC Sunday morning and taught a series for our FaithConnect pastors and leaders group. Kelly and Pastor Bob are writing a book together this coming year.

On Sunday July 5 CMCC hosted our annual summer family picnic. Our own CMCC lawn was the venue this year with a dining tent providing shelter from the sun. Lots of good food and good fellowship with good friends provided the perfect recipe for a real good day!

A group of seventeen CMCC youth plus chaperones drove to Mars, PA to attend summer camp, Uncommon Faith, hosted by Church at the Heights in Pittsburgh. Organized and led on our side by Sheila Spaulding, the kids were blessed beyond measure with fun, games, worship and relevant teaching. Thanks to all who helped and financially supported this major operation. Apart from a few minor bumps and scrapes everyone was delivered home happier, healthier and (most of all) holier!

Pastor Stas Karpenko was our guest minister on Sunday, July 26. He leads Ufa Bible Ministry in Bashkortostan, Russia. Ufa is a predominantly Muslim city of one million people in the Ural Mountains region of that country. He and his wife, Lilly, also operate an ESL (English as a second language) school in their city. As usual, the CMCC family gave generously in an offering to support the Karpenko’s work. Thank you all for your giving hearts!

Finally, from my poetic side:

The Shell Game Swindler

He runs the shell game for your soul

Distracts you with the latest poll

Just take a pill then rock and roll

Mass confusion is the goal

The cups keep swirling figure eights

While doing life is spinning plates

But deep within your conscience grates

Questions of eternal fates

You cannot be so sure they say

They’re moving too fast anyway

Besides we need our fun and play

We won’t accept your judgment day

And all the people watch their shows

But where the prize is no one knows
Still time as rushing water flows

The end reveals the cup you chose

Come now all you slow of heart

One cup has not moved from the start

The cross and empty grave impart

How the swindler to outsmart

Enjoy your summer!

Blessings,

Pastor Bob Engelhardt