To Recap This Year

1Corinthians 3:6-7 I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase. So then neither is he that planteth any thing, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase.

Luke.10:2 Therefore said he unto them, The harvest truly is great, but the labourers are few: pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he would send forth labourers into his harvest.

Whidbey Island is the kind of place that when you see it for your first time … you can get that funny feeling that you are the very first person to ever see it. The island is located 30 miles north of Seattle and forms the northern boundary of the Puget Sound. The city of Oak Harbor is located on the north end of Whidbey Island near Deception Pass and has a population of just over 22,000. NAS (Naval Air Station) Whidbey is located just to the west of the city and adds a large military presence. Angie and I saw Whidbey Island for the first time over the Memorial Day weekend in 2007 when we decided to visit Deception Pass State Park. We saw the island as we came around the corner of the road from Anacortes. We spotted the bridge which I had heard so much about, it was an amazing sight.

Literally, from the moment we crossed over Deception Pass and began to drive toward Oak Harbor ...we knew. Angie and I both knew at the same time that this was the place that God had been calling us to. Thus began the process that eventually landed us here as residents in March last year.

Sunday, March 2nd marked the first "gathering" of the Oak Harbor United Pentecostal Church. Angie and I with Brother Timothy Davenport, our Founding Member, gathered at Deception Pass State Park. Even though there were just three of us and we didn’t have a building to meet in…we knew we were a church! We marked the occasion with prayer for Whidbey Island and for the work that we have put our hands to do. We spoke words of dedication and determination and then ... did what any good islander would do after service ... we went to Starbucks!

The Apostolic presence on Whidbey Island goes back much farther and is more widespread than I can imagine, I'm sure. I wish I knew the names of all the people who have gone before us and labored in this field. Many people have planted seeds of ministry and bible study while others have watered with prayers and tears. I reverently thank God for all of them. God is the Lord of the Harvest and this is the field that He has placed us in for this time.

God continues to provide the increase! Our congregation has grown steadily over the months and God has given us favor with the Chamber of Commerce, local businesses, and other officials. We are looking forward to everything that God has for us. We pray that Oak Harbor United Pentecostal Church will be in your hearts and prayers.

Standing - Michael Lowe, Kyle Smith, Jason Campbell, Timothy Davenport, Mark Dillon

Sitting - Veronica Lowe, Angie Dillon

God has been so good to us in 2008. Our RV trailer has been just what we had hoped it would be! We appreciate our little home. Angie was able to get a job transfer with the State of Washington and she now works for the WA State Department of Transportation in Burlington. My job at Boeing has been a real blessing too. We are still praying that the Lord will open the doors for us both to work on the island when the time is right. Our Grandson, Kane Lee Elder, was born April 22nd. We were so happy to spend Thanksgiving in Texas with him, Mia, and Emily.

Island Resisdents at Last

Today marked a couple of "Firsts" for Oak Harbor UPC and for us. Today was my first day on my new job with Boeing...I went to orientation in Seattle all day today and will be reporting to the Everett Facility on Monday. I am really thankful for this job because it gives us the mechanism whereby we can support the church while we are getting things established. I only wish that it was not going to require the hour and a half commute each way to do it. I don't like leaving the island for anything, I want to be here! We are trusting God that I will eventually land a job at NASWI (Naval Air Station Whidbey Island). They are bringing in a new squadron of aircraft this summer and I am hoping to land a job at the air base then. Angie will continue to work her current job at Camp Murray (WA State National Guard Base located near Tacoma). She is applying for positions up this way as often as she can and we both expect her to land a job soon. She hopes that the timing will be such that it will allow her to be in Highlands TX for the birth of our 3rd grandbaby (Kane Lee Elder) who is due in the next few weeks.

Today was also the day that we became official Island Residents. After work today, I drove up to Oak Harbor and checked into the Navy Lodge...this will be our home until our new RV Trailer arrives from Indiana where it was built by Hy-Line.

By the Sea Side

This day goes down on the Calendar! Today marks the first "gathering" of the Oak Harbor United Pentecostal Church. Angie and I with Brother Timothy Davenport, our Founding Member, gathered at Deception Pass State Park today. We marked the occasion with prayer for Whidbey Island and for the work that we have put our hands to do. We spoke words of dedication and determination and then ... did what any good Islander would do after service ... we went to Starbucks!

What a Weekend!

Angie and I decided to take advantage of the MLK Holiday Weekend and spend a few days in Oak Harbor. We arrived late on Friday night after work and hit the sack early for a good nights rest. The next morning, Pastor Robinson from Anacortes met me for breakfast at a local restaurant. I had such a good time getting to know him better and listening to him tell me all about what he knew as far as the History and Happenings of Oak Harbor as it relates to reaching the city for Jesus. After breakfast, we got in my car and Pastor Robinson navigated while I drove. He gave me the full tour. We had such a great time and I am looking forward to more days like that!

That evening, we drove into Burlington and met Brother and Sister Webb for dinner at the Red Robin. What a wonderful ending to an already great day. After dinner we drove over to Starbucks and after shutting that place down we drove over to another Starbucks and stayed there until it was almost closed (we really know how to celebrate).

Sunday Morning we were in church with the Robinsons and were so blessed! I was completely impressed with the quality of the service and we met some really nice people too. Following service, we went over to the Robinson's house for lunch and coffee. We had Authentic Mexican Cooking! She started us out with Chips and Home Made Salsa with Guacamole on the side...then we had Chicken Enchiladas with Rice & Beans. It was literally the best I have ever had. I was so full that I didn't really want Angie to bring the left overs back to the hotel room but she did and I was really glad because I ate the rest of it for breakfast Monday Morning.

I got up early the next morning before sunrise and snapped a few photos as the sun was coming up .... The sky was so clear and the morning was cold. I was so glad that I got up early! We spent the rest of the morning walking up and down the older part of downtown Oak Harbor. Angie went into almost every shop and I did my husbandly duty and stayed outside leaning up against the wall soaking up the sunshine and the sights.

That afternoon we had a pic-nic lunch at Fort Casey. We enjoyed the view of the ocean and the mountains while watching the deer feed near by. It was finally time to start heading back to Olympia so we drove down to the south end of the island and caught the ferry across the Puget Sound back to the Mainland. What a wonderful weekend!

"Christmas Jars"

Angie and I are a part of a wonderful group of people that meet each week at someones home. We alternate from week to week on which home we will go to and we all bring food and drinks to add to the fellowship. At our "Home Fellowship Group", we eat, study the Bible, share our hopes, ambitions, and shortcomings. Angie and the ladies like to Knit and Crochet.

One of the couples in our Home Fellowship Group is James and Cassie Gemes (and Meghan!). Last year James and Cassie began saving all of their loose change in a jar after being inspired by a book written by Jason F. Wright, titled "Christmas Jars". The main Character of the book is a girl named "Hope". She receives a anonymous Jar filled with money on Christmas Eve and sets out to find the giver. Without ruining the story for you I'll just tell you that she finds the givers and discovers the tradition of donating throughout the year as a way to remember the sacrifices that Jesus made for us.

Last night, when I arrived at the meeting, Cassie presented us with a bag full of coins collected by their family last year and a copy of the book "Christmas Jars". She said "This is for the Oak Harbor Church". Thank You so much Cassie and James! Angie and I look forward to carrying on the tradition.

Three Things ...

First, my dear friend Bob Giadrosich flew out from Atlanta last week for a visit. You know we just had to take a drive up to Oak Harbor and Bob took a lot of pictures that I hope to post real soon. He called me after he returned home and said "Thanks for ruining me. After going to Whidbey Island, I can't think of much else". We had such a great time.

Secondly, I received my first phone call as "Pastor" the other day. I was on my way home from work and my phone rang. The voice on the other end asked me if I was the Pastor of Oak Harbor UPC and after catching my breath...I said "yes, how may I help you". It turns out that the young man is in the Navy and has an assignment to Oak Harbor Naval Air Station and was inquiring about the church. I am so excited about what God is doing!

Thirdly, Angie and I received our first offering today in the mail for our work in Oak Harbor. Thank you Victory Pentecostal Church of Mount Vernon, WA. God is truly making a way for us to establish a church on Whidbey Island.

We Are Going to Oak Harbor!!

The past few days have been filled with a lot of emotion and waiting. We are at the Ministers & Wives Retreat in Gig Harbor, WA., to spend a few days relaxing with friends. The main purpose however, was for Angie and me to meet the "Home Missions" board. We have been approved to start a church in Oak Harbor effective June 1st. So what now? Well, we start the process of buying an RV Trailer and getting jobs there in Oak Harbor. As soon as practical, we will move to Oak Harbor and establish the work. We have a lot of work to do before June.

Please pray for us and for Whidbey Island, WA.

A Home Missions Church?

You can probably guess by now that Angie and I have fallen in love with this place. We have, over the past several months prayerfully considered what God would have us to do. We have decided to ask the Washington District Home Missions Department for permission to start a church in Oak Harbor. That is why I am calling this Blog Oak Harbor UPC. We are scheduled to meet the Board Members tomorrow and Thursday. We have accepted the possibility that this might not be approved...at least not at this time. We are so excited at the prospect of starting a church and seeing it grow. Pray for us as God uncovers His will for us and that we will accept it with thankfulness and grace.

Where is Oak Harbor?

The city of Oak Harbor is located on the north end of Whidbey Island in Washington State and has a population of just over 21,000. NAS Whidbey is located just to the west of the city and adds a large military presence. Whidbey Island itself is located 30 miles north of Seattle and forms the northern boundary of the Puget Sound. The Island is roughly 60 miles long and ranges from 1.5 miles to 12 miles wide. Whidbey has a population of over 60,000 people. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Whidbey_Island

Whidbey Island

We just couldn't stay away. Angie's sister and her husband, Pam & Kirt Denney, paid us a visit from Stockton CA where they are Dean of Music at CLC (Christian Life College). We just had to show them our new place that we found. We all drove up on Friday night and stayed on the Naval Air Station at the Navy Lodge. We spent Saturday checking out Deception Pass State Park and tour the rest of the island. We made our way south to Clinton and then took the ferry over to the mainland for the drive back to Olympia. We are hooked. Angie and I both feel that something has been planted in our hearts for Whidbey.

First Sight

We saw Whidbey Island for the first time today. We chose to drive around to the north end and cross over onto the island via Deception Pass bridge. Partly because I did not feel like trying to find the ferry terminal for the south end crossing and partly because I had heard about how beautiful the bridge was. As we came around the bend in the road approaching Whidbey...we saw it! I stepped out of the car and snapped this photo from the side of the road. This was our first glimpse of Whidbey Island.