De Colores Community,

And just like that, a simple flip of a page on the calendar ushers in a new year. My prayer for each of us this year is that we grow in our relationships with the Lord, and build his kingdom here on earth.

This is a very special time of year in Emmaus. It is the time in which we seek new leaders to rise up and serve the community by being an active member of the Llano Estacado Emmaus Board. I ask each of you to read the following passage of scripture and prayerfully consider stepping forward by submitting your name for consideration to the nomination committee. Please just let one of the board members know of your interest and we will see to it that your information is passed along.

Jesus gave us a very special example of his expectation for leaders during the last supper in the upper room in Luke 22:24-30 (New International Version (NIV))

24 A dispute also arose among them as to which of them was considered to be greatest.25 Jesus said to them, “The kings of the Gentiles lord it over them; and those who exercise authority over them call themselves Benefactors. 26 But you are not to be like that. Instead, the greatest among you should be like the youngest, and the one who rules like the one who serves. 27 For who is greater, the one who is at the table or the one who serves? Is it not the one who is at the table? But I am among you as one who serves. 28 You are those who have stood by me in my trials. 29 And I confer on you a kingdom, just as my Father conferred one on me, 30 so that you may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom and sit on thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.

In addition, we have a critical servant’s role to fill in our community. After many wonderful years of service, Mike Smith has requested that we allow him to retire as the servant who keeps our community supplied with the necessary materials to support our walks, journeys and other Emmaus events at the Mercy Center.

First and foremost, we extend our sincere appreciation to Mike for his humble service in the background which for some time now has ensured the success of many events. My guess is that for many of you the cross on your lanyard, worship booklet that you use at community and packet information that you received when you went on your walk, journey, or chrysalis was most likely ordered by Mike and delivered to the Mercy Center. Also, if you have taken a snack during breaks or drank a cup of coffee at the Mercy Center you have used one of the supplies that Mike picked up and delivered.

Please join me in extending gratitude to Mike for all he has done to make us successful. I know that someday each of us that have been touched by his service will hear loud and clear ‘Mike, Well done thy good and faithful servant!’

In case you need a reminder, just flip the cross on your lanyard over and read the words again, ‘Christ is counting on you.’ Please reach out to a board member and let us know that you are willing and able to serve our community in any capacity, on the board, as the supply servant, or on a team. We will get you in contact with the right people!

In Christ,

Rod Smith

Upcoming Opportunities

January Community Gathering: January 4, 2018
St. Joseph’s Slaton
205 19th St
Slaton, TX 79364

Note: Worship begins following Young Women’s Chrysalis Journey Sendoff. No meal, please consider bringing agape (food or pillow) for the caterpillars.

Young Women’s Journey #42: January 4-7, Ashdon Hancock – Lay Director

Women’s Walk #144: February 15-18, 2018, Diane Qubty – Lay Director

Kairos Outside #15: April 6-8

Young Men’s Journey #34: May 3-6, Ryan Rathmann – Lay Director

De Colores Community,

Recently I began attending a new men’s bible study with a friend in another town. The group has been meeting for some time now and they are quite a fun bunch of men to spend time with. At first the method of study was a bit foreign to me as they had chosen a particular book of the bible each week reading a chapter or two, taking it at face value and then having a short discussion on what they learned. I had quite a laugh when the first week that I attended one of the men ask which chapter they had gotten to and another replied ‘Exodus 35, it seems like we have been in Exodus forever…’ Well can you just imagine how they must have felt back in the day?

Earlier today I received a phone call letting me know that we needed to find a place for our December Llano Estacado Emmaus Community meeting due to a gas leak at Generations Church. Unfortunately, the leak will be costly to fix and cannot be repaired in time for our meeting. My first thought when I heard the news was about how difficult it must be having a significant expenditure at this time of year. Please join me in prayer for Ed Ainsworth and the congregation at Generations for God’s provision and abundant blessing during this Christmas season.

Pastor Joseph Fly has generously offered Cooper United Methodist Church to host our Community Gathering on short notice. It’s the little things that really make a difference this time of year, and the blessing of a place to be in community in a small way gives a nod to the reason for the season. Let’s pack this place and sing praises to our King!

In Christ,

Rod Smith

Upcoming Opportunities

• December Community Gathering: December 7, 2017
Cooper United Methodist Church
16612 Loop 493, Lubbock, TX 79423
(approximately 2 blocks south of Cooper High School)

• Young Women’s Journey #42: January 4-7, Ashdon Hancock – Lay Director

• Young Men’s Journey: January 11-14

• Women’s Walk #144: February 15-18, 2018, Diane Qubty – Lay Director

De Colores Community,

Two weeks ago, millions of Texan’s lives were forever changed by hurricane Harvey.  Thankfully few lost their life and for them I pray that they knew Christ as their Lord and Savior.

Our daughter Kristen moved to Houston in August of last year to begin her career in consulting.  A couple of months ago Kristen’s roommate Carol purchased a home off of 610 and I-10 in west central Houston.  Carol and Kristen are both recently engaged, preparing for their weddings, and looking forward to the future.  

I know that Kristen was well prepared for life away from home largely due to an amazing Christian mother, my wife Susie.  Susie taught them to be frugal in their finances, strong in their faith, and generous with their time.  In addition, Kristen has surrounded herself with an incredible group of like-minded friends in Houston for strength and support.

In the days before the hurricane we spent many hours on the phone with Kristen talking through her decision to remain in Houston, discussing how to prepare for possible outcomes, and establishing options to escape to higher ground if needed.  And then, we turned it over to the Lord and placed our faith in Him to protect our little girl.

Kristen’s fiancé Brayden, Carol’s fiancé John and another couple decided to come together and join forces at Carol’s house to ride out the storm.  It was unclear where the flooding would occur and over the course of the weekend the water rose to the first step of the home several times.  It was touch and go, but they were blessed as water never entered the home.

Immediately following the flooding this incredible group of friends dispersed in the community volunteering in shelters, and helping families begin the recovery process.  It is simply amazing how God is working thru people who are loving and caring for those in need following the storm.

Here on the South Plains it seems like we are in a different world with little to no direct impact from the storm.  However, I know that many of you like me were impacted through family and friends who suffered great loss.  I pray for healing, recovery and renewal for each and every person. 

Father we praise you in this storm and we humbly ask for your blessings to pour out on the people impacted by hurricane Harvey.  Bless the hands that serve and multiply the offering given bringing glory to your kingdom on earth.  Amen

In Christ love,

Rod Smith
Community Lay Director
Llano Estacado Emmaus

Upcoming Opportunities

• September Community Gathering: September 7, 2017
• Agape United Methodist Church
• 1215 Slide Road, Lubbock, TX 79416
• Young Men’s Journey: September 14-17, Dustin Johnson – Lay Director
• Men’s Walk #100: September 21-24, Glenn Campbell – Lay Director
• Kairos Outside #14: Donna Merrick – Weekend Leader

De Colores Community,

Many of you know that I recently embarked on a new journey in my career. Early this spring I was introduced to an amazing Christian family by a friend in Emmaus. I knew right away that there was something special about the people. And, after much prayer, I knew that I was being led to partner with them in an emerging industry unique to our area, the Texas wine industry. Over 90% of the wine grapes in Texas are produced right here on the South Plains of Texas in an area known as the Texas High Plains AVA (American Viticultural Area). As with any business or organization, we have experienced our share of ups and downs, but we have seen God’s hands at work as we have relied on Him for guidance and leadership in our daily work.

I joined the organization in late April and one of the first things that I saw reminded me of Jesus teaching in John 15:1-4

“I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. 2 He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes[a] so that it will be even more fruitful. 3 You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. 4 Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me.”

The vines in our vineyard had been prepared for the 2017 season by an expert team of viticulturist who had pruned all of the growth from the previous season leaving a barren woody vine. Every branch that would not bear fruit for this year’s harvest was thrown away to wither on the ground. Soon, spring green shoots emerged on the vines and, before long, spring flowering began to fill the vineyard with beautiful greenery. Shortly thereafter the viticulturist returned and once again pruned the branches that would not bear fruit. This saddened me at first seeing how much of the greenery was taken away, but later I understood as the summer berry growth took over with abundance following the blessing of timely rains. Now we are poised for one of the most bountiful harvest in years. Recently, the viticulturist returned to protect the vineyard by applying netting over the fruit to keep the birds from stripping the vines. I simply cannot wait to see what comes from this year’s harvest.

As I think on the harvest to come, I am inclined to consider the fruit that is desirable to our Father in Heaven as shared in Galatians 5:13-26

Life by the Spirit
13 You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh[a]; rather, serve one another humbly in love. 14 For the entire law is fulfilled in keeping this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.”[b] 15 If you bite and devour each other, watch out or you will be destroyed by each other.
16 So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. 17 For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are in conflict with each other, so that you are not to do whatever[c]you want. 18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.
19 The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery;20 idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions 21 and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.24 Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. 25 Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. 26 Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other.

My prayer for our community, and more especially for myself, is that we will bear fruit abundantly, living life by the spirit and pleasing our Father in Heaven.

In Christ love,

Rod Smith
Community Lay Director
Llano Estacado Emmaus

Upcoming Opportunities

August Community Gathering: August 3rd, St. Josephs – Slaton TX
Join us at 6:30pm for Women’s Walk #142 Sendoff at Mercy Center followed by Community Gathering. No meal – Please bring food agape for the walk!!!

Women’s Walk #142: August 3-6, Martha Harrison – Lay Director

Young Women’s Journey: August 31 – September 3, Susan Gillispie – Lay Director

Young Men’s Journey: September 14-17, Dustin Johnson – Lay Director

Men’s Walk #100: September 21-24, Glenn Campbell – Lay Director

De Colores Community,

A few years ago, I was asked to lead a Young Men’s Journey for Chrysalis in our community. I had served on several Chrysalis teams and I knew the power of the Holy Spirit working in this ministry across generations bringing young people to a better relationship with Christ. Little did I understand the impact that Journey #23 would have on my family.

Team selection for both the Journey and Walk that I led taught me huge lessons in obedience. I quickly learned that the Holy Spirit takes over when we are obedient and that God is pleased with the result.

The team selection process is quite simple. The team selection chairperson sets a date for the meeting and contacts the Lay Director to share information with them in preparation for selecting the team. A blank form is provided to the Lay Director and team selection committee with spaces for three names for each position on the Walk or Journey. The Lay Director is asked to identify their first preference for the Spiritual Director, one of the Assistant Lay Directors, the Music Team leader, a past Lay Director who will serve on a table, and the Outside Team Coordinator. At the team selection meeting these names are placed in the first space for their respective roles. Following this first step each person attending the team selection meeting has an opportunity to name someone to fill the next blank on the page one at a time until three names are identified for each role. The Spiritual Director has responsibility for securing the Assistant Spiritual Directors for the walk or Journey.

As Lay Director, I chose to strictly follow the process calling the first name for each role as identified by the team selection committee, and then calling the second or third if necessary. I cannot begin to tell you how blessed I was in the process. The new friendships that were formed will be cherished for a lifetime. And the spiritual gifts that I witnessed from people I did not even know were a tremendous blessing to both the pilgrims/caterpillars and the team. Truly God blessed me through my obedience in Emmaus team formation.

During team selection for Journey #23, I asked if anyone knew of a possible music team for the Journey. A young lady spoke up and said, ‘you should get Terrell McReynolds.’ I knew Terrell as a leader from his service as youth lay representative on the first Journey that I participated in, but I had never heard him play music. At the first team meeting I was blown away with his ability to bring men of all ages together in worshiping the Lord. I found out later that Terrell had become a police officer along with another member of the praise team. In addition, one of the table leaders and one of the assistant table leaders were also police officers. For those of you who know my family, you probably understand that it was no strange coincidence that several leaders on the journey were public servants.

Our son Derick chose to attend Journey #23. Throughout the weekend, he formed many friendships as he came closer in his relationship with the Lord. We knew from an early age that Derick was cut out for public service. Prior to the Journey, he completed the Fire Academy and was working toward securing a full-time role with a fire department, even if it meant moving to another town. Shortly after the Journey, Derick announced that he had decided to apply for the Lubbock Police Academy. I immediately reached out to one of my closest Emmaus friends who was on the team and was also a policeman for a bit of advice. It was no surprise to me that Derick had already spoken with him about the decision. Derick not only found a friend, but also a mentor who would guide him through his decision. It is awesome to see first-hand the Holy Spirit at work through people we chose to surround ourselves with.

As you can see, here is a picture of Derick proudly carrying our nation’s flag with the LPD Honor Guard at the 4th on Broadway parade. God bless the men and women who serve, and God bless America!

In Christ love,

Rod Smith