Pastor Wise, church board, fellow staff, members and friends, it is with great privilege I bring to you my third report as associate pastor/college and career.  Thank you Pastor Wise for the awesome privilege of working under your leadership. You are a true role model. This church board and congregation have been faithful to support me in both college and career and pastoral ministry.  I am deeply grateful to you.

It has been my desire as a college and career pastor to take this group “outside the box” of the perceived norm and expand their ministry.  As our society and culture so rapidly changes, I believe it is our responsibility as a church to minister to people wherever they are. 

I feel like our college and career group has done this very thing.  We have singles and married couples pursuing further education.  We have those pursuing careers and those beginning families.  It was a great honor and privilege to be part of the group of college and career that gathered on May 3, 2005 for the birth of our very own Roman Coley.  Thanks Joe and Andrea for sharing him with us. 

On June 16, 2005 the group gathered again to show our support to Brian Portwood in the birth of his son.  People know when you truly love and care for them.  I believe this college and career group has shown that love.

The college and career ministry has expanded outside our church.  On June 13-15, 2005, we worked at the Royal Family Kids Camp.  This is a camp for abused and neglected children.  Thanks to Jared Brown, Brooke Couey, Blake Daniels, Lauren Daniels, Holly Darsey, Jon Foskey , Lucretia McLendon, Brad Portwood, Pam Shepherd, Jonna Portwood, Jon Spires, Shannon Spires, and Kristi Stinson for your participation.  You will never know the impact that camp had on the lives of these children.  Thank you for helping make it possible.

Also, we will never know the full impact this camp had on our church.  For it was on a bunk with the kids asleep that Lauren Daniels and I sat in the dark and with low whispers planned the expansion class of our Wednesday night Bible study.  The first Statesboro off campus midweek service was held August 24, 2005.  Lauren agreed to organize teach and the class.  She and Marla Senn has willingly opened their home for the group to meet.  Their attendance is great and they have regular “non-nazarene” members.  Please keep this class in your prayers. May God bless them and guide them in this pursuit.

Brandon Foskey traveled to Thailand this past year.  We appreciate his work there in sharing Christ with these people.

At Family Camp this past year, several from the College and Career group worked the snack shack. They did an excellent job!  Thanks for your hard work. 

On Friday, July 22, 2005 at 12:00 noon, six people set out for the ride of our lives.  Jon, and Shannon Spires, Josh Spires, David and Holly Darsey, and myself, left for Midland Michigan to attend the wedding of Jon Croft. We arrived at 6:00 the next morning.  Jon was excited that someone from Georgia would attend his wedding.  It was a privilege for us to be able to celebrate this beautiful day with him and Andrea. 

We left at 6:00 the next morning for our return trip home. (Only 24 hours in Midland .)  On our way home we stopped for our Sunday Morning devotional time.  I spoke on how Christ left heaven on a long journey to the cross.  His journey was one of sacrifice and yet compassion.  Our compassion often shows by our sacrifice.

This summer I was given a surprise birthday party at the home of David and Holly Darsey. You will never know how much I appreciated your kindness. It meant more than you will ever know.

This fall the college and career Sunday School class divided into two groups.  They were divided according to ages:  Ages 17-21 and Ages 22 and above.  This was a true milestone for our church.  At a time when so many churches have few or no one in this age range we have two classes.  I would like to say thank you to Pastor Wise and our Sunday School Superintendent, Marcus Clements, for supporting us with this new endeavor.

I would also, at this time like to say a very special thank you to Jay Mimbs for your devotion to the college and career.  You have been a faithful teacher and worker.  You not only gave your full support to the class expansion but you have supported them in many, many ways:  on the basketball court, in the drama, and wherever else you were needed.  You have always reflected a Christ-like spirit in everything you have done. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.

The fall was quiet busy.  Billy and I hosted a fall luncheon.  We had a very good turnout and enjoyed having the group in our home.  Jon and Shannon Spires hosted a shower for Brad and Jonna Portwood.  Thanks to Brooke Couey for also helping with this event.

On December 3, 2005, we had our annual Christmas party.  We enjoyed celebrating in our new fellowship hall. 

On December 16, 2005, we went Christmas caroling.  We enjoyed ministering at the different home.  The night ended with a wonderful breakfast at the home of Donnie and Barbara Spires.  Thank you so much Donnie and Barbara for once again opening up your hearts and home to us.

In February Brooke Couey, David and Holly Darsey, Jon and Shannon Spires, Kristi Stinson and myself went to Pigeon Forge for a winter retreat.  It snowed!  We took quiet a detour around the mountain.  Or should I say, we just crossed a different mountain.  Great job driving Jon Spires.  I had a really good time spending the weekend with this group.

We closed out our church year with the Easter Drama “Oh What a Savior”.  Members from our sanctuary choir and congregation joined us in this endeavor.  Forty nine people pulled together to make this event possible.  Thanks to every one of you. 

As you look around our church you will see college and career working in the different areas:  the choir, the orchestra, the nursery, teaching in Sunday school and children’s church.  There are those that work behind the scenes faithfully working with Donnie Spires on Saturdays so that we may have better Sunday school facilities. When it came time to move into our new building, you were there.  And you have always been there for me.  Shannon Spires so graciously helps me with planning events.  To all of you my sincere thank you.  You are a pastor’s dream. 

Billy, words can never express my gratitude to you.  You are a true supporter.  You have stayed home many days caring for home and family while I traveled on church and district events.  You were a solid support I could count on.  You always saw me off with a “Do you need anything?  I love you and Call Me. ”  I often called home before I ever got to where I was going.  You were always just as cheerful to talk to me as you were the hour before when I called.  Thank you for always being there for me and I love you.

As I look over last year and cast a vision to the future, I realize it is not another program that we need. I will be grateful for new classrooms, but that is not our primary need. There is something vitally important missing in this report.  It does not include new converts.  We love and appreciate all of our new people and our new members, but what about bringing sinners to Christ.

I feel as your pastor I need to spend less hours on my feet – doing and more time on my knees – interceding for you and for your family and friends that are lost.  I will pray that God will enable you – not just me – to share the gospel with them. 

I know your love for Christ and I know your passion for people. I am blessed as you share your stories of witnessing.  I will pray that God will help us do an even greater work this year. 

College and Career, my love and concern for you is real.  Serving you is not just a privilege but a high honor.  Thank you for allowing me to be your pastor.

Respectfully submitted,

Janice Laster

College and Career/Associate Pastor.