I have no idea how to start a message like this one, so I’ll simply start by saying that I love you all dearly. My family and I are alive and well.

If you and your family have been affected by the disaster, Forest Park is here to support you. Right now it is one day at a time for all of us, but please know that you are not alone and that your church family is here help you for the long haul.

For our Worship and Tech Team, life at North is going to be different for at least the next few weeks. My job has turned from full-time Worship Pastor to the Head of Food Preparation and Distribution of FP’s tornado relief efforts…and then a part-time worship pastor on the side. I will allot some time each week for our worship ministry, but at the moment I am trusting that God will show up and we will continue to have powerful services despite the lack of TLC we usually put into a weekend service.

On the topic of weekend services, for the approaching weekend I still need the scheduled Tech Team to be there. But because I have spent almost zero time as of today preparing for this weekend, the music will be me and my guitar. So all scheduled band people will not play this weekend.

As this relief effort progresses, I do want us to get back into the normal swing of things in the not too distant future. June is right around the corner, and while it may be me and my guitar for next week as well, I would still like to get your availability for June. Please email or text me with that as soon as you can.

Lastly (and this is big), since your Worship Pastor has had his responsibilities shifted to food preparation and distribution, I would love to see as many of you that are able helping out with this area of our relief efforts. These efforts will potentially go on for weeks and even months to come, and while there are lots of willing hands at the moment, that may dwindle as the days roll on. It would be absolutely amazing to see the hands and voices that create such wonderful worship services each week be transformed into the hands and voices that deliver food and kind words to those who are in need.

To sum up, the two things I need from you are your June availability as well as your thoughts on helping with tornado relief through FP. I need hands to prepare and distribute food, and I also need point people to coordinate the three main aspects this ministry. The best way to contact me at this time is email (.(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)). Phone service has been touch-and-go. Texting is the next best way.

While Sunday night was a devastating night, I have faith that out of the chaos and rubble hope will rise. I am confident that as the people of this community long to draw closer to God they will inevitably draw closer to each other. No one ever desires an event like this to take place, but now that it has, let’s use this time to show people who Jesus really is as they are seeking His help now more than ever.