INCITE STUDENT MINISTRY - MISSION MEXICO 2007
The student ministry of Preston Trail Community Church will be heading to Mexico for our upcoming mission trip. The dates for this trip are Saturday, March 10 - Wednesday, March 14th (Spring Break). The cost of this trip is $200 and registration has begun.

PRESTON TRAIL HEADING TO INDONESIA
Our church will send a team of volunteers to Aceh, Indonesia during Spring Break, March 9-18, 2007, to work among the tsunami survivors.
Needed: 1) those who can teach American cooking; 2) men, women, youth who can lead children’s programs that resemble backyard clubs, crafts, puppet shows; 3) doctors, nurses and/or medical students; 4) basketball coaches. (Translators available.) If you do not fit these particular needs but have a desire to go, we can use whatever skill you have. The needs are great. Since the shots required take about 6 weeks, it is imperative that you sign up early, preferably by January 26. Costs for all travel, food, and lodging will be about $2500.
Please contact: J.D. Tomlin at jd@prestontrail.org or Bill and Dellanna O’Brien at 214-387-4112 or bellmitra@sbcglobal.net.

MEN'S MINISTRY KICKOFF
Men’s Ministry Kickoff - PTCC is starting a new and exciting men’s ministry in 2007, designed to help men build strong friendships with other Christian men, become better husbands and/or fathers, and grow closer to God. To get this ministry airborne, we will host a kickoff event on Sunday evening February 11 from 6 to 7:30 PM at our new building. This kickoff will include a homemade chili dinner, a hilarious improv troop, a vision for men’s ministry, and our Sunday morning worship band playing some great music. We invite ALL men to come to this event ... and to bring a friend with you!

ONLINE GIVING
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LIFE GROUPS
Sign up at the Information Table or email info@prestontrail.org and get involved in a group!

The Man You Want to Be

This article is for men and women, but it’s about men. More to the point, it’s about how you as a male can become the man you really want to be.

Deep down, every man who is a Christ-follower has a mental picture of what God wants him to be … and hence what he ultimately wants to be. That picture is of a man who, in the words of Gene Getz, is both “tough and tender.” Tough because he courageously stands by his convictions, provides for his family, and stands up for Christ in all arenas of his life. Tender because he is unafraid to show affection to his wife, to encourage his kids, and to pray to God often.

I want to be that kind of man, don’t you? But how does it happen? How can you become a man like that?

I have an answer, and it’s the most exciting thing I’ve been involved in since we started PTCC over four years ago. It’s Men’s Ministries! I know the name may not sound sexy, but what’s important is the content and process. Let me explain.

Starting in late February we are going to offer a weekly opportunity for men to gather together for fun, friendship, Bible Study, and prayer. The gathering will have four components:

1. Informal talk over snacks and beverages
2. Music or testimony or video related to the topic for the day
3. Bible teaching in large group, by one of the senior pastors
4. Discussion and application of the Bible passage in small groups

This spring the Bible Study will be on the life of King David, one of the great saints and sinners in the Old Testament. David faced almost every problem modern men face: fighting against the odds, building close friendships with other men, forgiving his enemies, helping out the underdog, giving in to his lusts, struggling in his marriage, struggling as a father, feeling close to God, feeling far from God. By learning how God related to David in all of these circumstances, you will learn how God relates to you.

If this sounds good, join us for the Kickoff Event on Sunday February 11. Come at 6:00 PM for chili and soft drinks, enjoy comedy from an “improv team” and music from our worship band, and listen to a clear explanation of how men can become like Christ through studying the Bible, talking with other men, and praying.

If you’re ready to commit, you can sign up that evening for either the Wednesday night group (8-9:30 PM) or the Friday morning group (6-7:30 AM). The Bible studies will be identical, but the programming will be less involved on Friday mornings.

Jim and I hope that every man at PTCC will accept the challenge to join Men’s Ministries this spring. More importantly, we pray that God will use this Bible Study and friendship-building to grow all of us men into the men we truly want to be.

Men, this is the time to stand up and be counted as faithful followers of Christ. Give Men’s Ministries a try – it could change your life … literally!

With great expectations,
Paul Basden, senior pastor

Read previous Trail Notes here

Click here for more information on Dream Big!

LISTEN! Preston Trail Podcast
PTCC worship messages are available by subscription to our podcast or for listening on our website. So, if you missed a service, or want to share one with a friend go here and take a listen.
You will have the option of downloading and listening to them on your computer or even subscribe here (or press the iTunes image on the right) to have them come to your computer automatically each time one is added - then play them on your computer or your iPod while you're exercising or driving.