One of the blessings of spending time in God's Word is discovering how often it speaks directly into everyday life. I've also noticed that when God is teaching me something or calling me to grow, He reinforces that lesson from several different directions. That has certainly been true this week. Sunday's message focused on coming to God with a thirsty heart. During Camp Meeting this week, the messages have challenged us to put our faith into action. Then, at our Tuesday morning Bible Study at Carroll Cup Coffee House, we studied the end of John 4, where a father demonstrated his faith by traveling twenty miles to seek Jesus and ask Him to heal his son. The common theme is clear: faith isn't meant to remain still—it is meant to move. Faith-InAction. As a church, we have much to be thankful for. God has allowed us to host concerts and community events, participate in outreach opportunities like the Baltimore Eggstravaganza and the Lancaster Sarcoma 5K, and prepare for the Carroll and Baltimore Festivals. He has also blessed us with resources, including our beautiful grand piano, to help us share the love of Christ through music. Yet I can't help but wonder if God is calling us to take another step of faith. This Sunday, I'd like us to spend special time in prayer for wisdom and discernment regarding an exciting outreach opportunity. As many of you know, we have been exploring the possibility of partnering with the Bloom-Carroll Youth Football League by providing the use of church property for their practices. While there are still some details to work through, I believe God may be opening a new door for Wildermuth Memorial Church to connect with families in our community.  Please join me in praying that God will open the right doors, remove every obstacle, and give us the courage to follow wherever He leads. May we be a church that not only believes God's promises but also puts our faith into action as we share His love with our neighbors.

Can you believe that we have reached the one-year anniversary of Lisa and me being called to serve as the Shephard at Wildermuth Memorial Church? I was asked to provide an annual report to the Foundation which helps us in so many ways and as I worked on my annual ministry report this past week, I found myself reflecting on all that God has done through this great church over the past year. Looking back, I am reminded that ministry is about much more than counting attendance or listing events. It is about seeing lives touched by the love of Christ. God has blessed us with opportunities to grow in many ways. We have seen our Sunday morning attendance more than double since I first came to Wildermuth, and through our worship services, Bible studies, concerts, outreach ministries, and online presence, we now connect with an average of more than 50 people each week. That is something to celebrate—not because of numbers, but because each number represents a person who matters to God. This year has included new sermon series, Bible studies at Carroll Cup Coffee House, outreach through GPS Ministries, our monthly Gospel sings, special concerts, and opportunities to serve our community. Some new ministries have flourished, while others have reminded us that not every idea succeeds on the first attempt. Even so, each experience has helped us better understand where God is leading our church. As I reflected on everything that has taken place, I was reminded that the true measure of our ministry is not found in a report but in transformed lives. Every worship service, Bible study, concert, and outreach event exists for one purpose— to help people know Jesus Christ and grow in their relationship with Him. Thank you for your prayers, your faithful service, your generosity, and your willingness to be part of what God is doing through Wildermuth Memorial Church. I believe our greatest days are still ahead, and I look forward to seeing how God will continue to use each of us to share His love and hope with our community.

As we celebrate Independence Day this year, my thoughts naturally turn to the blessings of living in a nation founded on the ideals of liberty, justice, and the God-given dignity of every person. This Fourth of July is especially meaningful as our nation begins commemorating the 250th anniversary of the birth of America. For two and a half centuries, generations of Americans have sacrificed, served, and prayed so that the freedoms we enjoy today might be preserved for those who follow. As Christians, we recognize that while we are grateful citizens of the United States, our highest allegiance is to the Kingdom of God. The freedoms we enjoy give us the opportunity to worship openly, proclaim the Gospel boldly, and serve our neighbors generously. These are blessings we should never take for granted. The Bible reminds us in 2 Chronicles 7:14, "If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray..." Throughout our nation's history, times of spiritual awakening have often begun when God's people sought Him in humility and repentance. As America enters this 250th year of remembrance and celebration, perhaps there is no greater gift we can offer our country than to faithfully pray for her. (Also, you may hear more about this during the message this coming Sunday.) This Independence Day, enjoy the parades, picnics, family gatherings, and fireworks. But also take a few moments to thank God for those who have defended our freedoms, to pray for our leaders, our military, first responders, and our communities, and to ask the Lord to guide our nation with His wisdom and truth. May God continue to bless America—not simply because of our history, but because His people continue to seek His face and faithfully share the hope of Jesus Christ. As we celebrate 250 years of our nation's story, may we also recommit ourselves to advancing God's eternal Kingdom, one life at a time. Have a safe and blessed Fourth of July!

Over the past few weeks, I have shared about an opportunity to highlight the ministry of Wildermuth Memorial Church on local television. This past week, that opportunity became a reality as the episode of Fairfield Today featuring Don Lemley and me aired on local cable television. As a reminder, Don and I were interviewed on June 16 and had the privilege of discussing the many ministries, concerts, and special events taking place at Wildermuth Church throughout the year. We took time to discuss our monthly Don and Sylvia Lemley and Friends gospel sings, which continue this Saturday at 5:00 PM, followed by a potluck dinner. These gatherings will vary in which artists will appear each month but all of them will provide a wonderful opportunity for fellowship, worship, and encouragement through Southern Gospel music. If you were unable to watch the program on Spectrum Channel 1021, or if you are unfamiliar with Fairfield Today, you can still view the episode online by searching for "CLN – Your Hometown Connection" on YouTube or by using the QR code included below in this newsletter. I encourage you to watch the program and share it with others in your spheres of influence. We never know how God may use a simple invitation or shared video to touch someone's heart.

Last week, I shared a prayer request regarding the upcoming television interview on our local cable channel. I am already beginning to see the fruit of your prayers, and I want to thank each of you for joining me in this effort. On Tuesday, June 16, Don Lemley and I were interviewed for a segment that was recorded for later editing and production. The program is scheduled to air on Tuesday, June 23.  The interview went very smoothly, and we were able to discuss many of our upcoming concerts and events, especially the monthly "Don and Sylvia Lemley and Friends" concert series. We also had the opportunity to briefly highlight several of the other ministries and activities taking place at Wildermuth Church. Most importantly, I was able to plant a seed by sharing the Good News of Jesus Christ and encouraging viewers to begin or deepen their relationship with Him. Please continue praying that this broadcast reaches those who are searching for a church home and that God uses it to draw people closer to Himself. If you do not have Spectrum Channel 1021 or are unfamiliar with the program Fairfield Today, don't worry! You can search for "CLN – Your Hometown Connection" on YouTube and subscribe, or simply use the QR code shown here. By subscribing now, you will receive notifications when new broadcasts are posted. I love seeing how God orchestrated the timing of this interview to air during the week leading up to our next concert with the Lemleys! On another note, as we continue our series on the Spheres of Influence, I especially encourage you to invite a father, friend, neighbor, or family member to join us for worship this Sunday. We will be taking a closer look at the Family Sphere and the important role fathers play in influencing future generations. Exciting things are happening at Wildermuth Church! Our calendar is filled with opportunities for worship, fellowship, ministry, and outreach. While none of us can attend every event, I encourage you to participate in as many as you are able. More importantly, invite those within your spheres of influence to come along. As the old saying goes, "With so much going on, you're bound to find something you like!"

I frequently ask each of you to share both your prayer concerns and your praises. As the body of Christ, we are called to bear one another’s burdens and also to celebrate God’s work in and through our lives when we see His grace and mercy at work around us. There is nothing too big or too small to bring before the Lord in prayer. Now, I’m not sure He is overly concerned about helping our favorite sports team win. After all, wouldn’t that simply come down to which team has the larger praying fan base? (Just a little sarcasm!) This week, however, I do have a special prayer request to share with you. As you will see on my calendar schedule on the next page, Don Lemley and I are scheduled to be interviewed by Paul Jassogne for a future episode of Fairfield Today. This local-interest program highlights community events, organizations, and individuals throughout Fairfield County and airs on local cable television as well as social media platforms. Our interview is scheduled to be recorded next week and will air the following week. This presents a wonderful opportunity to share the ministry of Wildermuth Church with a broader audience and perhaps connect with someone whom God is leading to find a church home. As a reminder, we have launched a new concert series that takes place on the last Saturday of each month at 5:00 PM. Each gathering features talented gospel artists sharing their music ministry, followed by a potluck dinner and fellowship time. Don has been a significant figure in the local gospel music community for many years, organizing numerous concerts and events, including the gospel concerts at the Fairfield County Fairgrounds for many years. Paul is a well-known television host, media personality, and emcee who is often seen at community parades, festivals, and special events throughout Fairfield County.  Together, we hope this opportunity will help us reach more people with the good news of what God is doing through our beautiful church in Carroll, Ohio. Please join me in praying that this interview reaches every person God intends it to reach and that He uses it to encourage hearts, strengthen faith, and draw people closer to Him.

What a wonderful weekend we enjoyed together! I want to take a moment to thank everyone who attended Dad’s birthday celebration and everyone who sent cards, gifts, and well wishes as we celebrated his 90th birthday. Your kindness and generosity made the occasion even more special for our family. The weather could not have been more beautiful, and the fellowship shared among friends and family was truly a blessing. The weekend also marked the beginning of what we hope will be many enjoyable concerts with Don and Sylvia Lemley and Friends. We were blessed with a great turnout for our first gathering. In addition, we were delighted to welcome several new faces to our Sunday morning worship service as we began our new mini-series, Shaping Our Spheres of Influence. If you were unable to attend, I encourage you to watch the service on our Facebook page or visit our church website, where the message will be available soon. One of the important truths we explored on Sunday is this: we are the church. Scripture teaches that the church is both the universal body of believers and a local congregation of believers gathered together. Jesus said, “I will build my church” (Matthew 16:18), referring to all believers everywhere. We also see references to local congregations, such as the church in Corinth mentioned in 1 Corinthians. The Bible describes the church in several ways: the Body of Christ with Christ as its Head, a family of believers, a flock led by the Good Shepherd, and a temple where God’s Spirit dwells. Too often, we think of the church only as a building where we gather. While the building is important, the church is ultimately God's people.  As followers of Christ, we are the church wherever we go. That means the church should be one of the greatest influences within our spheres of influence—at home, at work, in our neighborhoods, and throughout our community. May we faithfully represent Christ and His church in every place He has called us to serve.

As I begin this newsletter, let me remind everyone that the first of our monthly gospel sings—sponsored by Don and Sylvia Lemley—will take place this coming Saturday evening. These sings will be held on the last Saturday of each month and will feature many of the Lemleys’ friends joining them to share the Gospel message through music and testimony. For this first gathering, we are excited to welcome The River Valley Boys and Jan, Kameron Waits, John and Debbie Levier, along with Don and Sylvia themselves. Following the concert, we will enjoy a potluck dinner and time of fellowship together. We invite you to join us at 5:00 PM for what promises to be a wonderful evening of worship, encouragement, and Christian fellowship. Then this Sunday, I will begin a new mini-series of sermons centered on “The Seven Spheres of Influence” within our culture today—areas where the Church must be actively engaged if we are to make a lasting impact in our world. Throughout this year, I have challenged each of us to find “The One.” Who is the one person God is calling you to reach out to, engage with, and build a relationship with so that you may ultimately introduce them to Christ? Perhaps that person already knows Christ but is struggling to walk closely with Him. Perhaps God is calling you to walk alongside them in a journey of discipleship and encouragement.  The purpose of this series is to equip each of us to step out boldly and actively participate in the work of Kingdom building. Certainly, we would love for people to join us in worship and fellowship here at Wildermuth, but our greater goal is the advancement of God’s Kingdom and the sharing of the hope found in Jesus Christ. This Sunday, as we kick off the series, we will learn about what the church is and what it is that God asks of the church.

Over the past several weeks, we have journeyed together through our sermon series, “What I Really Need Is…” As we studied God’s Word, we were reminded that while the world often tells us we need more success, comfort, control, or recognition, our deepest needs are only truly met in Christ. Whether we were talking about spiritual growth, security, understanding, purpose, strength, or grace, each message pointed us back to the truth that God already knows exactly what we need and faithfully provides for us, His children. My prayer is that this series has encouraged you to look beyond temporary troubles and temporary answers and lean more fully into a daily relationship with Jesus. Real peace is found in Him. Real hope is found in Him. Real life is found in Him. Thank you for walking through this series together and for the many conversations, prayers, and testimonies that have come from it. This coming Sunday we will celebrate both Pentecost Sunday and Memorial Weekend. Pentecost reminds us of the powerful arrival of the Holy Spirit in Acts 2, when God empowered the Church to boldly proclaim the Gospel to the world. It is a celebration of God’s presence still working in and through His people today. At the same time, Memorial Weekend gives us an opportunity to pause and remember those who gave their lives in service to our country. We are grateful for the freedoms we enjoy and for the sacrifices made by so many men and women throughout our nation’s history. As we gather for worship, may we do so with thankful hearts — remembering both the spiritual power God has given His Church and the earthly freedoms preserved through sacrifice.  As a reminder, we will kick off the holiday weekend with a concert with my friends, Bryan and Yvonne Hutson from Rescue Me Ministries. Those that know Southern Gospel Music, may remember Bryan as the lead singer with the Kingsmen Quartet for around 10 years. We will have a time of fellowship with some light refreshments after. Concert begins at 6 PM.