Sunday Highlights

• What a struggle I had all week. I see now how the enemy was at work trying to discourage, distract, and hinder what God was going to do on Sunday. All week it has been a struggle for me. I wrestled with God trying to get his mind and heart for Sunday. Usually it comes very easy, but this week I had to press. Late Saturday night I found myself crying out to God for breakthrough. When Sunday morning came, I continued to sense a struggle in the spirit, but by the end of the service we had tremendous breakthrough at the altars. I believe that God brought breakthrough and we are a church on the move.
  
• The message was "Moving Forward." I believe that the enemy wants to keep us stuck in our past and keep us from moving forward. I know that our future is going to be greater than our past. I know that great things are in store for Trinity. We must continue to look forward in order to move forward. We must be able to stop dwelling on the hurts and pains of the past in order to move into our divine destiny. Isaiah 43:18, "Forget about what has happened before. Do not think about the past. Instead, look at the new thing that I'm going to do."
  
• Sunday was also Missions Sunday. Over the past year our missions giving has dropped dramatically. My challenge was for everyone to be involved in missions. I was overwhelmed to see how everyone responded to the challenge to get involved in missions. We were able to see about two thirds of our missionary budget raised in a matter of minutes because of your giving! Praise God! I know that there was great breakthrough as we sacrificed and took on the responsibility of supporting our missionaries.
  
• It was great meeting many new people and first time visitors also. I can sense how God is beginning to bring new people to our church. Our attendance has been strong and I know that this is just the beginning of what God is going to do here at Trinity. Let's continue to make room for God to do what He wants to do.
  
• I know that we are on the verge of great things. Sunday was an important step in that direction as we surrendered our hearts and lives to allow God to have His way. I know that as we continue to live surrendered lives, fully committed and devoted to Him, there is no telling what God will do.
  
• Thank you all for your love, encouragement and prayers. You all have been so great to us. I must have gained 10lbs since arriving here at Trinity. We had such a great weekend visiting with people and getting to know you all better. Thank you for all of your love and support. Ruth and I know that we are at the center of God's will. We are planning to move in July. Please continue to keep us in prayer as we get ready to make the big move. We can't wait to get to New York. We are so excited to begin this new chapter in our lives.
  

Sunday Highlights

• What a powerful Father's Day service today. God presence was so strong during the entire service. I preached on the characteristics of "The Godlyfather," Fervency, Availability, Tender-heartedness, Humility, Encouragement, and Righteousness. The altar time was meaningful and heartfelt as we prayed over our dads. Thank you dads!
  
• The worship was so exciting and dynamic today as we kicked off the service with "Faith." Eli Navas began playing the keyboard and leading the music ministry today. Everyone did such a great job. It was so great to have Mike playing Congas and Glenn playing lead guitar. You guys were great. Any led us into God's presence with great passion and sensitivity. The Revelation Song propelled us into God's presence. Our worship team rocks and I am so thankful for all of your commitment to this ministry. Thanks Eli, Laticia, Glenn, Little Glenn, Tay Tay, Jim, Suzy, Faith, Phyllis, Tina, and of course our sound guy Nick!
  
• We had another great crowd today. It seems like there are more and more people coming each week. I am grateful for those that are visiting and checking us out. Give us a shot, I know that you are going to be amazed at the things God is doing.
  
• A special Thank You to everyone for surprising us with a reception after service for our anniversary. We have such a great time hanging, laughing and talking with all of you. All I can say is that Trinity knows how to throw down on cake. I think I have gained 10lbs since becoming the Pastor! You guys are such a blessing. Thank you for your thoughtfulness.
• Congratulations to our Grads: Taylor, Sergio, Dierdra, and Any. You guys have done a great job and should be real proud of your accomplishments. Looking forward to hearing what God is going to do in you and through you.
• Thank you for all of your prayers for our move and transition to Middletown. We will be moving into our new home by the end of July. We will let you know the date of our "moving in party" if you know what I mean soon. We are very close to selling our home here in Pittsfield. We know that God is working out all of those details.
• Looking forward to next Sunday already! Can't wait to get back to church. I know that God has more in store for us. Ruth and I love you and we are praying for you this week.
  

12 Years of Marriage

Today Ruth and I celebrate our 12 year wedding anniversary. Praise God! He is faithful. He continues to bless us with every spiritual blessing in Christ Jesus. Ruth and I met in September, 1990 at Orange County Community College. I can still see her standing where I first noticed her for the first time. Little did I know that the beautiful young lady standing on the hill would be my wife.

Our wedding day was so great. We were married at First Assembly of God, Port Jervis, NY. It was a hot summer day temperature about 93 degrees. I can remember standing at the altar with very weak knees waiting for my bride to be. She was so beautiful as she walked down the aisle. Our reception was off the hook as we had Marisol Soto and her orquesta come and play. We had a great time singing, dancing and praising God. God is so good.

Here we are about to embark on a new chapter in our journey together in Middletown. We are looking forward to many more great years of marriage together. It hasn't been easy, but through it all we have learned to trust in Jesus and learned to stand upon His Word. He is the glue that has kept our marriage together.

Sunday Highlights

• We had a encouraging, uplifting and dynamic service on Sunday! The worship was great. Thanks worship team for doing an awesome job. "Say So" was really good. You guys are doing a great job leading us into God's presence. The time at the altar was also powerful and encouraging as we pray for one another and believe God for the impossible.
• We had another great crowd at church on Sunday. Meeting new people every week. Really excited to see the growth and progress we have made in only 6 weeks! It looks like we are going to outgrow this upstairs sanctuary pretty quick.
• The parade of babies was so cute. Jen De'Espesito is doing a great job with our Little Lambs nursery. She needs your help so please sign-up to serve on a Sunday. A new curriculum is going to be implemented and we are going to make nursery a fun and learning time for our Little Lambs.
• Also, don't forget to support Any Torres with this years "Mega-Sports Camp." We are expecting tons of kids. Please make yourself available for her.
• A special congratulations to Bill and Marta Wolfe celebrating 40 years of marriage! WOW! You guys are amazing and so inspirational to Ruth and I. We love you both very much!
• Sunday's message was "The Power of Your Words." I hope you were challenged and encouraged, but most importantly transformed by the message. There is power in the tongue, power to build up and power to tear down. Let's be a people and a church that builds up and refuses to allow any form of gossip to pervade in our church.
• Trinity family, Ruth and I love you all very much. We are thrilled to be here and know that we are in the center of God's will. The expectations and excitement that we feel for what God is going to do in Middletown is overwhelming at times. We know that God has tremendous things in store for you and in store for Trinity. Thank you for all of your love, prayers and support. You guys are the best!!!!

One Month Later

Trinity family, thank you so much for accepting us and loving us as your new Pastors. Ruth and I are so blessed to be here at Trinity. You all have been so great and we love you all very much. God is truly moving powerfully in our services by His Spirit. In one month we have seen God do some amazing things. There is a sense of excitement and anticipation for what God is doing but most importantly what He is going to do in our church. It's exciting to seem some familiar faces but also the many new faces who are now attending. We are growing quickly! At this rate we are going to have to move back downstairs into our larger sanctuary pretty soon!

Today's sermon dealt with forgiveness. Let's remember to forgive as God has forgiven us. Let's not allow resentment or bitterness or the hurts and pains of the past to hinder us from moving forward into all that God wants for us as a church. God has great things in store and we must let go of the past and embrace what He has for us in the future. I know forgiveness is tough, but it's necessary. Let us be a church that practices forgiveness. Let us be a church that chooses to forgive and forget.

Transitioning

Ruth and I have spent the last few weeks getting our house ready for sale and house hunting. There are so many houses to look at that it's a little bit overwhelming. With the market the way it is, we might be forced to rent an apartment for now until we are able to sell our home. We know that nothing is impossible with God. We are trusting God for His best for our lives and for our family. As of today, we have not found anything yet, but we are trusting God. Keep us in your prayers as we together move forward into everything that God has for us!