The Crop and the Harvest!

I love summer because I get to enjoy the sweet taste of strawberries and other fresh fruits and vegetables. I also look forward to the fall because more is coming!

Jesus compared the souls of people with a harvest to be picked. Souls are of the greatest value to God and they should be to us as well. Jesus compared the multitudes to a crop that needs to be harvested. He said to His disciples, “Lift up your eyes and look at the fields, for they are already white for harvest!” (John 4:35).

Notice that He didn’t compare people to blades of grass or sands of the sea or dust in the wind. He compared them to ears of corn or stalks of wheat. It was the idea of a crop that needed to be harvested.

The bible also says that we are to pray for the workers so that the crop could be harvested. I want to invite you to participate in the harvest. Get involved in ministry, show up on Friday nights for Hilltop Hoops, invite your friends and family to church and pray for future workers here at Hillcrest.

As we know, Rich Hancock will be stepping down from his part-time staff position here at Hillcrest this fall. Rich and his family will be staying with us as passionate members and volunteers but God is bringing many wonderful changes to their life that calls for Rich to focus on other areas of his life.

Hillcrest has formed a youth committee to help in the search of future leadership for the youth ministry. They meet on June 28th. Let’s pray for God’s guidance and ask that He provide a dynamic leader or leaders to help continue the fruitful ministry we see in our youth ministry.

I also want to inform you that our office manager Jayne Sparks decided it was time for her to be finished with her work here at Hillcrest. She will remain with us until July 1st. Jayne is seeking full time work with benefits…let’s pray that God opens doors for her.

I believe all transitions, while difficult, present new opportunity for new life and growth. This is a chance for us to thank Jayne for her work done here at Hillcrest and look forward to see who might come in as a support staff person that has passion for the practice and place of ministry here at Hillcrest.

I have created a job description for a potential candidate for the position of Office Manager and will make it available for download via our web site. If interested, please review the job description and submit a resume to the church office.

Let’s be in prayer over these matters. God is in control and let’s be in one accord in our prayers that God brings along passionate, dedicated servants who can help in bringing in the harvest here at Hillcrest.

God Bless and Go Bless,

Tim

This summer Hillcrest is bringing back the exciting basketball league called HILLTOP HOOPS for area youth entering grades 6 - 9. Hilltop Hoops is a community program including neighborhood youth and Hillcrest youth, with adult leadership.

The games will be played on the church parking lot adjacent to the church, 2480 W Broad Street.

DATES: JUNE 5 - JULY 3
TIME: 6:00 - 8:00 PM
COST: $10 league fee
AGE: 12 - 14 yrs old

The league games will be three on three. The teams will have 3 - 6 players and put together by the students themselves. Hillcrest will provide adult leadership and refrees.

Our purpose with HILLTOP HOOPS is to meet area students and build relationships with them through the game of basketball, with the hope of sharing the love of Christ in a very intentional and relational way, in a relaxed and familiar environment. Also, we are interested in the families of our students and those in our community and hope to build strong and lasting relationships with them as well.

All those in HILLTOP HOOPS will have the opportunity to learn about the love of Jesus during our devotional time.

Everyone is encouraged to come out and cheer the kids on! It will be a great time to interact with our community and church family.

Volunteers are needed to help each week, so if you're interested please contact Hilltop Hoops director, Rich Hancock or Tim Lee at 614-274-4333.

Please fill out both the REGISTRATION and RELEASE forms that are available below.

Volleyball Camp: June 8-12; 9a-12p
Cost: $30 per camper; $50 family

MytiOaks Music Camp: June 15-26; 9a-1:30p
Cost: $30 per camper for 2 wks; $50 per family

MytiOaks Sports & Games Camp: June 29-Jul 3; 9a-1:30p
Cost: $30 per camper; $50 family

Myti Oaks Day Camp is an outdoor ministry of recreation, fellowship, and character development in a Christian environment, developed and operated by the Hitch Family Ministries through the sponsorship of Hillcrest Baptist Church. Day Camp takes place on the lovely grounds of the Christian Conference Center, 245 N Powell Ave. Columbus Ohio, Blythe Hitch, General Director, is a retired elementary school teacher with a love for children.

Ages: Volleyball Camp is for Jr Hi & Sr Hi youth; the Sports/Games and Music Camps are for children (K-8th gr) entering kindergarten in the fall and up through eighth grade.

Registration Instructions: REGISTRATION is the first day of camp and includes Registration and Health History forms along with your payment of $30 per child per WEEK, Music camp $50 per camper for both weeks. Make check payable to the Christian Conference Center, or cash is accepted.

What to Bring: Everyone attending camp will daily need a sack lunch with drink, clearly labeled.

What is taught: Along with volleyball, sports, games, and performing arts, all camps include Bible stories and crafts taught in a safe, loving, structured, and supervised Christian environment. In the Sports/Games Camp a different sport is emphasized each day along with good sportsmanship and leadership skills.

Musical Camp provides campers with experience in the performing arts: comedy, creative dramatics, and musical theater. It is a non-auditioned, two-week rehearsal of a musical. The musical performance for 2008 will be on Thursday, August 7, 7:00 PM. Parents and grandparents, you won’t want to miss this! Bring your camera!

Camp Director: All 2009 camps are under the direction of Jared Mahone, grandson of General Director, Blythe Hitch. Jared graduated from Alderson-Broaddus College in Philippi, West Virginia with a degree in Recreational Leadership.

Camp starts at 9 AM sharp, Monday through Friday on their respective designated days. Cost is $30.00 per camper per WEEK with Music camp cost at $50 per camper for both weeks.

Our staff of trained young adult volunteers and public & private school teachers love working with children and youth, and enthusiastically share positive Christian role modeling. The kids relate well with them.


To register, print and fill out Registration Form and Parent-Counselor Covenant below, and return with camp fees (checks payable to Christian Conference Center) to:

Christian Conference Center
245 N Powell Ave
Columbus OH 43204
FAX: 614/274-4430

If you have any questions, please call 614.274.4333.