Highly recommend taking the time to watch David Attenborough’s A Life On Our Planet. Really like David’s witness statement!

1937
Word Population: 2.3 billion
Surface Wilderness: 66%

1954
Word Population: 2.7 billion
Surface Wilderness: 64%

1960
Word Population: 3.0 billion
Surface Wilderness: 62%

1978
Word Population: 4.3 billion
Surface Wilderness: 55%

1997
Word Population: 5.9 billion
Surface Wilderness: 46%

2020
Word Population: 7.8 billion
Surface Wilderness: 36%

My primary spiritual gift is missions. I will stop what I’m doing to go to people and talk about Jesus!  I have been a church-planting pastor for 17 years, and while my wife Carolyn has enabled me to be on this domestic missions journey, she and I have never had an opportunity to be on a missions trip together.  NextSteps Alaska will be our first trip together!

This trip for us will be an opportunity to serve and seek what God has for us together as a couple at this stage of our lives.  It will be an opportunity to share and pour into the lives of others from Springbrook, and it will be an opportunity to serve and minister alongside locals and ministry partners on the ground in Fairbanks.

We will be posting more information and updates soon, but below is a link with some information about our upcoming Alaska Trip.  We need to raise $3,000 by May 1st, and if you are able to participate on our financial support team, we would be so grateful!  Use one of the online giving links below:

GoFundMe: gofundme.com/wollards-alaska
Paypal: ​paypal.me/RWollard
DebitCashApp: cash.me/$rwollard

Please be praying for us!  If you would like to receive updates regarding our trip, click this Wollard-Alasaka Email Updates link!

Alaska Mission Trip Summary: PDF Statement Paper
Springbrook Community Church Alaska Trip: www.springbrook.org/alaska

“We always thank God for all of you and continually mention you in our prayers.”
~ 1 Thessalonians 1:2

In Matthew 25 beginning in verse 31, Jesus talking about His 2nd coming and final judgement, describes the faithfulness of His disciples as those that provided for others in need as if they were providing for Him directly. These passages continually came to mind as my relationship with Kathy continued, but so did this feeling of caution, especially after she had told me doctors were only giving her 1 or 2 months to live almost a year earlier. I was never quite sure I was getting the whole story.

It was interesting getting to know Kathy. She had a habit of just showing up at the office to ask for financial support. She always seemed to have this outlandish catastrophic story for which she needed money. On several occasions, my wife and I drove over to the neighboring town to pay for food or supplies. One time I had to make arrangements to transfer funds to a local grocery store because she was making a scene in the checkout lane about needing to purchase food and not having any money.

Several of the local retailers in her community knew her, and all of them appeared to be worn down from working with her. Once she was comfortable coming to my office and got my cell phone number, that overwhelming feeling began to overtake me too. I tried inviting her to church, but she was never able to attend. I tried to introduce her to others when she came by the office, but she always had to leave because her ride couldn’t wait for her.

One day when she “stopped by the office” with her dilemma for the week, more out of frustration than anything, I told her what she really needed was Christ! Probably not the best technique for sharing my faith, but to my surprise she said, “I know.” That got my attention.

As I sat and listened further to the fullness of her story unfold, it was heart-breaking. We were talking about the effects of sin in this word apart from God’s design, God’s plan for us in spite our condition, and the hope that is ours as a result of our relationship with Jesus Christ. After 30 minutes of conversation, with tears flowing down her face, she said, “I want a relationship with Jesus, what do I need to do?”

Kathy became a Christ-follower that day. I continued working with her and helping where I could, but everything I did always seemed to fall short of the condition she found herself in. I always walked away from my conversations with her wishing I could just fix her problems, but always faced with the reality that all I could do was support the best I could.

This past Friday, Good Friday, I received a notification that Kathy had passed away. After 2 years of praying that God would provide for her physical and spiritual needs, I am so grateful that I can rejoice that Kathy today, is in God’s presence. Revelation 21:4 says, “He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.” I know that Kathy is in good hands now.

Kathy had purchased a bus ticket to Florida where she knew she would find a warmer climate. I don’t know if anyone will plan a funeral or if the state will provide a place for burial. I don’t know who to even call to find any information, and I don’t know that she left anyone behind. I do know that for the short time I knew her, she helped me learn to be more compassionate. She reminded me of the importance of caring for others in need. And she has reminded me of the hope that is mine in Christ Jesus.

I wanted someone else to know that Kathy has gone to be with Jesus.  I will miss Kathy, her raspy voice and childlike smile, but know that one day I will get to see her again under the best of circumstances!  Until that day, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth, peace that is found only in Christ.

In His Grip,
Richard

When I moved to Illinois in ’95, I was only going to be here for 1 year.  I really don’t like living in the snow and cold.  I’ll refrain from bashing Illinois, but apparently God wanted me in this place.  We had been moving every couple of years, and I was really hoping to slingshot through.  But alas, this month officially marks the longest I have ever lived in any one state since I was born!  Last month I celebrated 7 years at Springbrook, and this month officially marks the longest I have ever had one job!

It just really feels like a millstone month.  I don’t know if I’m just getting older and more nostalgic, or if God is just getting ready to bust the doors open on something somehow.  I read once that 40 is the new 30, but heard someone say recently that 50 is the new 30!  I feel like that, although I don’t know what that means for the 30 year olds. Psalm 90:10,12 tells us we have 70-80 years and that we should number our days. I’m shooting for 80, so I have 9,713 days left as of today. I am waiting on and trusting in God each day, and am really looking forward to the next 30 years with Carolyn and what God has!

Be blessed, and Happy October!
(I’ll share my month with you

“And Cornelius told us how he had seen the angel stand in his house and say, ‘Send to Joppa and bring Simon who is called Peter; he will declare to you a message by which you will be saved, you and all your household.’ As I began to speak, the Holy Spirit fell on them just as on us at the beginning.” ~ Acts 11:13-15

“In the beginning, God created…” Those first 5 words found in the Bible, still bring me to a place of awe every time I pause to reflect on them. They were penned thousands of years ago, and are the explanation for, and the foundation of our existence and purpose. All of creation is God’s and those words scream out to His glory.

In Genesis 2, after God created Adam (and before He created Eve), we read in verse 16, “And the Lord God commanded the man…” We also see just a few verses later in Genesis 3:11, God ask Adam, “Have you eaten from the tree of which I commanded you that you should not eat?”

It’s interesting to me that from the beginning, obedience was the one virtues of Paradise that God valued in our relationship with him. In fact, it is the one conditional requirement for mankind that enables us to experience Paradise. Nothing is said of love, grace, faith, humility – it is obedience that covers all. Equally supreme to the authority of God, is the demand of obedience, and it is that one thing that decides our destiny.

Turning to last chapter of the Bible, we read in Revelation 22:14, “Blessed are those who do His commandments, that they may have the right to the tree of life.” Don’t miss this – from beginning to end, from Paradise lost to Paradise regained, God’s plan is unchanged: it is obedience that gives access to the tree of life, to His favor in our life, and to the fullness of a relationship with Him.

God’s love for us is vast, His mercies are new every morning, and His grace is sufficient and made perfect in our weakness. Do not copy the patterns and customs of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind as you reflect on God, His word, and your obedience.

On the journey together,
Pastor Rich

According to one source, there are 8,674 different Hebrew words in the Bible and 5,624 different Greek words. When you string all those words together to form different sentences and ideas, and then apply them to all the different life circumstances and ministry opportunities, it is easy to see how one’s mind can loose sight of it all!

But this morning I was gripped by a thought from one of those earlier passages I read in life, which come from some of the first words in the Bible, in fact they are the 10th, 11th, and 12th words, in Genesis 1:2. In the beginning, the earth was formless, it was empty and in darkness:

The words, formless, empty and dark really struck me this morning. Those words and the idea of them, left me feeling a little down for a moment. There have been times when I felt in the dark, or empty inside, or that things were formless and out of control. But then it dawned on me, even at that time, God was there!

When things were formless, empty and dark, God was there. His Spirit was there hovering over the waters. In John 1:1,14, it says that Jesus was there too! What a great reminder that in every circumstance, in every life situation, we never need to be in despair because God is there!

You know, one of the things I love about Christmas is the reminder that we are never alone. God sent His Son into this world, to save us from our sin, yes. But He also sent His Son out of His love for us and the desire for a relationship with us. As I head into the Christmas holiday, I’m grateful for the reminder that I am never alone, that God loves me, and has a plan for me in this life and the next.

Wow, what a gift – I hope you have a Merry Christmas!

I’m continuing to work through my teaching outline for the leadership gathering where I will be leading several sessions. I’m torn between be “prepared” and just waiting to see what God gives me when I get there. It is a great mystery being prepared and waiting, and somehow think it is a combination of both. Be prepared, but wait on God.

I enjoy the wait most of the time, but somehow that goes against our nature, especially here in the US. There is a tenancy for us, and by that I also mean me, to want to be in control. It feels exciting to be in a position of “not knowing!”

Carolyn asked me what time my flight got back on the way to the airport, and I chuckled and said, I’m not sure! This past week, I must have been asked hundred times if I was ready for my trip, to which I replied, “Well, I have my passport and visa, my Bible, a ticket and clean underwear, so I guess I’m ready!”

Of course there is more to it than this, but it sure feels good stepping out to wait on God and what he has in store. Psalm 73:28 says, “But for me it is good to be near to God, I have made The Lord my refuge, that I may tell of all your works.” This passage gives me strength today, and I pray it encourages you, and our Springbrook Church family!

On the journey together,
Richard

We all influence people around us. Sometimes it’s a positive influence and sometimes, well, it’s not so positive. When it comes to influence, or leadership, how would you characterize your influence, and is it accidental or intentional?

Ran across this post on leadership form Michael Hyatt this morning; enjoyed it so much that I thought I’d share!

What My Dog Trainer Taught Me About Leadership | Michael Hyatt.

Our small group just kicked off a 7-week study on the book of Romans.  How can you possibly cover the 16 chapters in Romans in 7 weeks?  Answer: very carefully and intentionally!  We got to the end of our group time together last night, just the few first chapters, and I think everyone could have kept talking for another hour (or at least I could have).  It was so difficult to bring our group to a close for the evening with prayer.

You know, the Bible is exhilarating –  it is exciting!  The Bible is life transforming, and able to get right to the bottom of all the issues we face in life.  But it is also important to realize that we cannot learn everything there is to learn in 7 weeks.  More importantly, we can’t neglect the Bible for days and weeks on end, and then expect to sit down one day and try to understand everything. Learning is a process, it is a journey that occurs over a life time.

The Duck Inn in Redditch, Worcestershire offers customers the world’s largest steak, coming in at a whopping 150 ounces; that’s almost 9 pounds.  So far, no one has been able to eat it.  In fact, I believe the record steak eaten has come in at just over 70 ounces. The Bible refers to our spiritual maturity in terms of drinking milk or eating solid food (Hebrews 5:12ff), and when it comes to maturity, many people are impressed and challenged by the 150 ounce steak, in fact, some are impressed with the whole cow!

Well guess what, you cannot sit down and eat a cow. You cannot sit down and eat a little 150 ounce steak.  With the Bible, we need to pace ourselves, keeping our eyes focused on the prize for which God has called us heavenward in Christ Jesus (Philippians 3:14).

God used the Apostle Paul to write the book of Romans, and it is one of the great works of the New Testament. Romans tells of the fallen condition of man, the hope that is ours through faith in Jesus Christ, and outlines a great example for how to live out the Christian life! Pick a book, start somewhere, but dive into God’s Word – it will change your life!

When I was a kid, I can remember asking my mom, “Who do you love best, me or my sister?” What kind of a question is that for a kid to ask; I mean really. I guess it makes me feel better to see the disciples arguing with Jesus in Luke 9:46 about which one he thought was greatest!

Having now raised 4 wonderful girls, I can honestly say as a parent, that I love each one of them equally. I can’t even imagine trying to pick one over the other; I couldn’t do it if I had to! Carolyn and I are so proud of our girls, and there are times when I just sit back in amazement of the great work that God has done in their lives, in spite of our own personal brokenness and lack of prepared parenting skills (well mine anyway; Carolyn is pretty sharp).

Today was one of those days where I had to sit back in amazement. My oldest daughter is turning 27 next month, and as I’ve pondered Psalm 40:4 today and listened to her story again from the perspective of one of her friends, I can’t help but cry out yet again, “Thank you God!” If you have a few moments, I thought this was a good read

catie's story: the beauty in tough times