Several nights ago, I felt that God was urging me to do a specific task. Without really understanding the reasons, I trusted Him and did it. The immediate result was that God connected me with a pastor in Kansas. As it turns out, this pastor was raised in the same part of upper East Tennessee that I am from. We even know some of the same people! Why was it so important that God connect us? Read the first paragraph of his testimony and see what you think:

My name is Mike Furches. My life didn’t start off positively. My mother was pregnant before she was married and life from there didn’t get better. My birth-father was killed in a car accident on his way back from Washington D.C. to try to make things right with my mother who was pregnant with my sister. She married a 2nd time and her 2nd husband was killed while hopping a train near Chicago. Her 3rd husband was abusive, and her 4th an alcoholic. Through all of this, I was both physically and sexually abused until about the age of 13 when I finally decided to leave home.

To read Mike's full testimony, click the link below or the link in the column to the left.

Without going into details, I would like to tell you that Caspar went to a lot of effort to get his testimony to us, eventually asking a friend to e-mail it directly. After reading his testimony, you will understand why he is grateful to God and so willing to share his testimony!

Here is the first paragraph of Caspar's amazing testimony:

My name is Caspar McCloud. Some years ago I was involved with Broadway, playing the part of the John Lennon in Beatlemania, and also recording as a solo artist for Atlantic Records. With my career going the way it was, a lot of people would think I was in the midst of fulfilling the American dream, but in actuality, it was a very stressful time in my life. My mother had died from cancer and then my father was murdered shortly thereafter. Little did I know that it would all take its toll on me some years later.

The story about the teenager (and the homeless) which was in the Genesis Issue has generated more feedback that any other story or article over the last 4 months. Many of you have probably wondered about this outstanding young man's upbringing, and what his mother is like.

Despite living in Georgia and developing an increasing appreciation for Georgia football coach Mark Richt (who often praises Jesus Christ publicly), alas, I will always be a Tennessee Volunteer fan. As such, I occasionally visit a UT football internet message board.

Recently, I noticed one of the messages contained a reference to a Christian church function. I e-mailed the message's author, Larry, and told him about the www.thespiritlives.org website. Within no time, Larry sent his testimony to be uploaded.

Many people who refer to themselves as Christians have more passion for football than for Christ.  But Larry is clear when he says "I am volunteering for work such as a local soup kitchen and Meals On Wheels. I have a peace and serenity that I have never known in my life." 

Click the link below to read Larry's testimony...I am thankful for his willingness to serve, and for his willingness to share his testimony!

Are you a member of a Christian band or Praise/Worship Team, a Christian music solo artist, a music minister or worship leader, a secular music artist who is being called by God, or perhaps a musician, singer, songwriter, or sound engineer who is just a “beginner” or who has not been using your gifts and talents to glorify God lately?

The Christian Contemporary Music Amateur Artists' Network (CCMAAN) was formed in the latter part of 2002. There are monthly meetings held at a different church each month. This months meeting is Saturday, March 22nd at Bascomb United Methodist Church. Next months meeting is Saturday, April 19th.

More information on CCMAAN can be found at: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ccmaan/ 

For specific information about the March CCMAAN meeting, click the link below.

This group of youth pastors/youth leaders represent three Cherokee County churches. These leaders met on Thursday, April 20 to discuss a major initative involving the www.thespiritlives.org website. More details about this exciting project will be forthcoming in the next newsletter! Stay tuned!