Evergreen Connection
Eschew Church Hermitism
Do you ever come to church and feel a bit overwhelmed by the shear number of people? Boy, I sure do. I was sharing with the folks at Discover Evergreen on Sunday about how my most natural wiring is to keep to myself and to primarily spend time with just my family. I’m not shy, […]
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Pastor Ryan Aufenkamp’s Sabbatical
In short, my sabbatical was stellar. I am so deeply grateful to you, church, for allowing me the time off to rest and recenter with my family. I’m coming back into the Fall feeling rejuvenated and freshly excited about all of the ministry that lies ahead. Below is a brief synopsis of how the Lord […]
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A Full and Wonderful Team
Today is Tuesday, September 5, and it is the first day this year that we have had all our staff positions filled and serving in their roles. We brought on two new pastors in early June, but by the time they were able to start, summer vacations and a sabbatical kicked in, so we have […]
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This is Good News
When was the last time you were overwhelmed with the goodness and greatness of our God? I can think of a couple of moments this summer where I felt a sense of amazement with who God is. One moment was at family camp while viewing the incredibly clear night sky. I can’t begin to wrap […]
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Planning Ahead
I don’t mean to be “one of those people”. You know, the people who remind you that we have 32 days until Fall, 91 until Thanksgiving, 125 days until Christmas, etc. I’m not trying to be that guy. (If you like to be “that” guy or girl, that’s ok, too.) But whether we want to […]
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I Have Problems. Wait, Just Kidding
Have you ever been so selfish that you let your baby cry while you finished up a video game? I haven’t either. So goes the opening line of the song I Haven’t Either by Andy Gullahorn. I had never heard of him before Kristin shared this song with me, but I was an immediate fan […]
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Anniversaries are Good, Growth is Better
Kristin and I took this selfie last Sunday morning when we visited Brush Prairie Baptist Church. Thirty-five years ago we stood on the platform in that same sanctuary and said our vows of marriage before God and several hundred witnesses. Kristin grew up at Laurelwood Baptist and I was at Evergreen, but neither church had […]
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Cardboard Boats and God’s Sovereignty
“Unless the Lord floats the boat, those who row will paddle in vain.” This is my attempt at paraphrasing Psalm 127 after our post-VBS youth group excursion last week. It was such a gift to help lead and serve alongside 53 of our middle school and high school students last week at VBS! I was […]
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Trust God!!!
What a week it has been, and it’s only Tuesday! We are deep into the week of VBS, and it has been great so far. We have around 130 students and 100 volunteers. This place is crawling with people in every corner of the building (won’t it be amazing when we have Phase II complete […]
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Three Shelters of God
I long to dwell in your tent forever and take refuge in the shelter of your wings. (Psalm 61:4) God shelters his people like a mother hen shelters her chicks. That is a marvel. The marvel grows when we realize we are to be part of the shelter he provides. Here are three ways the […]
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