A thought from Steve Cherrico - FPOA City Services

A thought for anyone involved in leadership with First Priority across the US...

I wanted to drop you a quick note this morning. Over the past few weeks I have begun to feel something about what I do everyday that I had not in a long time. My actions were following through with our cause but my heart was not completely in it. This morning I had an interesting moment where in my devo time the Lord made me aware I had let “discouragement in”.

Reality was I did not even know what to call what I was feeling. But as I began to add up the thoughts and feelings this is what I came up with; “man this thing is hard.” “The local church doesn’t always get what it means to unify the body of Christ.” “They will invest millions into events and buildings, and then leave unity + evangelism as a step child to fend for itself.” “The world sends me emails telling me it hates me and my cause.” “No matter how hard I work, how many hours I put in, I know for sure there are still more students to be reached, is all this behind the scenes hard work worth it?” It all led up to discouragement.

I am guessing most of you have felt some of this at one point or another. Maybe, you are even contemplating some of those thoughts now. I want to share with you what the Lord gave me next that helped me on my path of recovery, today. He reminded me of these facts, and radically shifted my heart, I hope some of this does for your as well.

Did you know that in America right now there are over 3000 First Priority clubs on school campuses?
**The crazy thing is that this is a conservative estimate, our FPOA team finds 2-4 un-networked FP Clubs somewhere in the US, each week.

Did you know that each week on average about 300,000 students participate in those 3000+ FP Clubs?
**That means that today we have the job of reaching, raising, and releasing 300,000 campus missionaries. No other country in the world has that many dedicated mission staff.

Did you know that there are FP Networks working together in places like Tracy CA, Aurora CO, Grand Haven MI, Odessa TX, Suffolk VA, Corbin KY, Newark NJ, and Miami FL?
**There are over 45 Networked communities throughout the US working the FP Process, and at least 25 communities that have multiple clubs, multiple networks, yet do not have a initiator to start the unification process.

Did you know that this school year we have already had city report over 550 students giving their life to Christ for the first time, and being plugged back into local churches across the US.
**I am sure that number is higher considering we do not get club reports from every city at this point.

I hope each of you know my heart when I say these things. First Priority is NOT the answer. The good news of Jesus Christ being lived out and shared one peer to another is the answer! You and I have been given the great fortune to serve a plan that initiates just that, First Priority.

So today I want to finish this email with a blessing on you, that if discouragement has crept in, that the Lord will help you kick it out (Philippians 4:4-9). That if the world hates you, you who serve Jesus will know that it hated him first (John 15).

May each of you who who work so hard, and give so much, and hurt so deeply for students in your city be found in the peace, grace, and mercy of Jesus.

May each of you who give your life to the high hopes of seeing every student on every local campus experience the love and message of Jesus Christ, get to experience the fruit of that hope today.

May each of you find your rest in the same gospel that you work so hard to serve. That is the good news of Jesus Christ, and may His love for you be as real to your life as you want it to be for the students you desire to reach.

Finally, that you will find hope as part of a body of believers that we call the FP Family, and that together today we will bring Jesus glory! Amen.

Peace,

Steve Cherrico
First Priority of America - Director of City Services
615-491-4129 cell 973-731-7744 office
http://www.fpoa.org
http://visionpassionfaithfulness.blogspot.com
http://www.facebook.com/steve.cherrico

FP Birmingham, Announces New Area Director

Benny Bowman
Area Director
First Priority Greater Birmingham

Benny accepted Jesus as his personal Lord and Savior at the age of 18. In 1986, Benny was ordained as a deacon and in 2005 he was ordained in ministry. He has served in various capacities in student ministry since becoming a Christian. Benny has served as a student minister for over 17 years. He has been with First Priority since 1996 as a network president and Board member. Benny has just recently joined the First Priority Staff Team as an Area Director. He is a member of First Baptist Church Pell City and is currently serving as interim student minister at First Baptist Leeds. Benny has been married to his wife, Connie, for 29 years. Benny and his wife have two adult children and their spouses, Joel Bowman (Christy) and Maegan Jolly (Vann) that reside in Pell City.

You may contact Benny at benny@gofirstpriority.com.