hen Jesus called His first disciples He told them that He would make them "fishers of men". In Mathew's gospel you will read that they immediately left their work and followed Him. Last Sunday at Hillside Christian Church we talked about some of the implications of Jesus' statement. We also talked about His amazing ability to motivate people to action. Peter and Andrew not only left their nets but their immediate livelihood. Jesus didn't ask everyone He saw to leave his work, but He does require us to leave our old self behind if we are going to follow Him.

We also must see that Jesus was not going to keep the disciples as they were. He was going to change them into people who would seek the lost of the world and "hook" them with the gospel. Christians are never in a static relationship with the world or its Savior. To be a follower of Christ means that Jesus is changing us into His own army of fishermen. We can't really claim to be His and not be reaching out with the gospel. To do so would be to say that Jesus had it wrong. As you read further in the New Testament you will find that as Jesus taught the disciples through word and deed they indeed became the "fishers of men" He had foretold. We have the Scriptures and our faith because His short-term prophesy proved true. Praise God!

See You At The Pole is a yearly celebration of living out vital faith at school. We served breakfast at the church for the students again this year. The Hillside youth and many others are showing that gathering around the flagpole to pray is one way to demonstrate that Christ lives everyday and in every location where Christian students are. Students across the nation have come together this way for nearly twenty years. We are proud of the students who take a stand and the good people and churches that support them. They are being "fishers of men".

Many of our women just returned from a weekend retreat at Maranatha Retreat Center in Everton. They were very blessed and encouraged by the speaker and the fellowship. Over two hundred women from area churches took part in the two-day event. Next year Hillside will be sponsoring the gathering.

Fourteen of our Junior High age youth went to Ozark Christian College in Joplin, MO for two days of inspiration and fun with similar youth from several states. Sharing faith and learning with others the same age is important for teens. We are glad that we have a great youth program that encourages accountability and helps teens with the concerns the all have.

You and yours are always invited to join us for worship and study at Hillside Christian Church.