Live Blogging from Worship God Conference

Our very own Worship Director, Chris Burke is writing a live blog reporting on the Worship God Conference taking place in Gaithersburg, Maryland, where he, Ilya Petushkov, Elia Phillips and Selina Castaneda are attending.
You can catch each report at our Rod&Staff blog (CVFirst Pastors Blog).
Please remember to pray for our brothers & sisters, that God [...]

Atheism Alive and Well?

“So, are you an atheist?”
“A what?”
Let me say it again… “Are you an atheist?”
Of course not, but why not? Why would you not want to be an atheist? What makes you so special that you think you know everything – hey?
Confused yet? Too many questions?
Well, let me explain myself by taking you [...]

Keep Running…It Is Worth It!

Life and ministry can be very difficult at times. Often we can wonder if those under our care and influence are getting it. We know that God promises that in all of our ministry He is at work…even when we don’t know it or think that we are not getting anywhere. We [...]

Music – Bolivian Style

It was almost ten years ago I had the privilege to visit with my good friends Matias & Mery Mohicas-Brooks. Matias & Mery are nationals in the country of Bolivia and Matias serves as pastor and overseer of seven churches in and around the city of Santa Cruz and the mountain valley region near [...]

Doofonics!

Have you ever felt like a doofus? I mean, have you ever been speaking to someone or a group and then when the words came out it sounded more like you had eight marbles in your mouth and what you were saying was totally incomprehensible? Now what you wanted to say was germain [...]

Affections of the Religious Kind…

This past week I was challenged over at www.challies.com to participate in “Reading the Classics” with others around the blogosphere, and the current book sitting on our lap is Religious Affections by Jonathan Edwards. Now, Jonathan Edwards is not necessarily an easy read, so reading it along with others, discussing the arguments and conclusions [...]

Questions! Questions!

Today I had the privilege to serve on an ordination council for William Dudding III, pastor at Mission Peak Baptist Church in Fremont. He did well and we were happy to recommend him to his church for ordination. During the questioning one of my fellow council members asked a question that I have [...]

News From Jamie in Russia

Here is a short report from Jamie Atkinson who is serving in Ufa, Bashkortostan this summer…
Well we just got back to Ufa from the first camp. We went to Emilia’s house for dinner and showers. It’s so nice to actually be clean! Right now Emilia, Indera, Jake, Olya, Melinda and my self are all here [...]

Good Humor

No…I’m not taking about Ice Cream! I am talking about good humor that makes me laugh and doesn’t have to lean toward profanity or sensuality. Well, if you are looking for that kind of humor then let me introduce you to Brian Regan. He is considered to be a “clean comedian” and [...]

Culture Bubble

This is continuation of sorts concerning how our cultures affect how we live our lives, especially, in ways that we may not even be aware of. So indulge me as I share a personal insight from one of my trips to the land of Russia two years ago.
I was sitting in the apartment of [...]