From A Grateful Heart
Words are not enough to share how thankful I am for our supporters and partners in ministry. I sent an urgent plea a few weeks ago because Christ-Centered Solutions faced financial difficulties. Over the next few days, God's people responded, and our immediate needs were met, at least for the short term. As did individual supporters, several of our supporting churches helped with special offerings. We are still behind in our yearly budgetary needs, meaning more adjustments will still need to be made moving forward, but I believe God will see us through as He has before.
Again, I encourage you to consider becoming a monthly supporter of CCS. If you're unsure about a monthly commitment, let me ask you to consider the following numbers just for our premarital biblical counseling as an example of how your donations are used.
- $25 a month would cover the cost of biblical counseling materials for one young couple.
- $30 a month would cover the cost of the online homework study we use for all premarital sessions for an entire year.
- $40 a month would cover the cost of our confidential forms program for a whole year.
Here are some other numbers you might find interesting from 2022.
- CCS provided 1,267 direct contact hours for biblical counseling, coaching, and soul care training.
- Almost $18,000 in materials and services were provided to fellow believers who were unable to cover the cost of care.
Let's Talk About Pain & Suffering
Most of us struggle for answers when confronted with the loss of a loved one, a job, or a dream, and sometimes we find ourselves questioning where God is in the midst of our pain. In the short devotional video, Is Suffering Ever Part of God's Will, I try to answer some of those questions and bring a Biblical perspective to loss and suffering. I hope you'll take a few minutes to watch the video, and as always it is my prayer that you find a sense of comfort and encouragement from what we do at Christ-Centered Solutions.
Below are more videos on the topic of pain and suffering.
Below are more videos on the topic of pain and suffering.
Turning A Dream Into A Reality
Over the next few years, one of our goals at Christ-Centered Solutions is to raise funds to purchase land and a home to serve as a pastor/minister restoration and renewal center. Why this project, and why now? Because a large number of pastors and the churches that they serve are in trouble. I routinely get calls asking if I know of a facility that helps pastors and other ministers who are burned out, have fallen into sin, or have a myriad of issues and need a place to heal and be restored.
Pastor burnout has been rising, and the local church now faces the challenge of a pastor shortage. In a recent interview with Dr. Michael Cloer of the Cape Fear Network of Churches, he stated that 20% of churches in one southern state are without a pastor. He also said that 469 Baptist pulpits in North Carolina are empty. Our pastors, their families, and churches are struggling, and CCS wants to help. I will share more about our dream for The Shepherd's House in our following newsletter. Until then, if you would like to support The Shepherd's House, you can do so on our giving page using the dropdown box.
Pastor burnout has been rising, and the local church now faces the challenge of a pastor shortage. In a recent interview with Dr. Michael Cloer of the Cape Fear Network of Churches, he stated that 20% of churches in one southern state are without a pastor. He also said that 469 Baptist pulpits in North Carolina are empty. Our pastors, their families, and churches are struggling, and CCS wants to help. I will share more about our dream for The Shepherd's House in our following newsletter. Until then, if you would like to support The Shepherd's House, you can do so on our giving page using the dropdown box.
Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you. Philippians 4:8-9 (ESV)
Spring 2023
rest for the weary pastor
In April 2023 Christ-Centered Solutions partnered with MIND Impact and The Cape Fear Network of Baptist Churches to host our first "Rest For The Weary Pastor" luncheon in Wrightsville Beach, NC. Approximately 30 people attended, both pastors and wives. Dr. Melissa Milanak was our guest speaker, and she addressed not only the importance of rest but several other topics. Plans for another "Rest For The Weary Pastor" are in the works for the fall of 2023 and will be held in Charleston, SC. To learn more about Dr. Milanak and MIND Impact, please use the link below.
I STILL DO
In May 2023, Dr. West and Teresa traveled to Union Baptist Church in Union, Kentucky, to lead the "I Still Do" Marriage Conference. Rev. Mark Webb and his wife, Kristy, hosted the Wests. The conference is based on Dr. West's book, "Marriage and Family From A Biblical Worldview," and Dr. Gary Chapman's book, "The 4 Seasons Of Marriage." To learn more about having Dr. West and Teresa come and lead this conference at your church, please use the link below.
grief support group
In February and March 2023, Dr. West began a grief support group for a local Wilmington church. His work with this group was based on his conference, "Providing Soul Care to The Grieving: Understanding Loss and Suffering." Please use the link below to learn more about the grieving conference.