Team Manna,
I pray you’re having a fantastic summer so far, surviving the heat (and storms!) and enjoying some time in the water! Summers at Manna are filled with lots of families attending our church for the first time (PCS season), as well as lots of y’all taking vacations. If you’ve got the bandwidth and happen to be in town, let us know so we can add you to the SERVE Team rotation on an upcoming summer Sunday. Speaking of vacations – my family and I will be out for the first three Sundays in July as we continue our series on Parables. We’ll miss you guys but I know you’ll enjoying hearing from some different leaders in our church family too!
It’s an honor to be your pastor. Keep abiding… and wear sunscreen!
Meet Curt and Jana Obrigewitch!
“We are so excited to be new members of the Manna family! The Lord planted us here on the Emerald Coast via the Air Force in 2006. We sensed God’s call to be a part of Manna at the close of 2024. Since we have been serving the Lord together throughout our marriage of 32 years, we decided to jump right into Growth Track in January. It was such a wonderful way to discover the vision of this ministry, and the hearts of the amazing people who have answered God’s call to leadership in this local body. It was also a great way to meet and get to know a small group of people in the church. There are so many ways to get involved and be connected here at Manna, and we believe that to be vitally important in the ministry of a church to the people in the congregation. It is so much fun and such a blessing to do life together with your church family! We very much appreciate the mission of Manna Church, and we hope to help further that mission as the Lord leads us with our time, talents, gifts, and service.”
Celebrating Our Servant Heroes!
This month in Growth Track we were able to surprise one of the Growth Track SERVE team members for her birthday. Alyssa began leading Growth Track groups in October of last year and has been on fire ever since. Even when offered to rest from serving on her birthday, she BEGGED to be able to SERVE in NextStep. One Growth Track participant shared the following: “I just want to take a moment to thank Alyssa for the way she led our small with such grace and authenticity. Her patience and love for God were evident. She listened and encouraged every person to engage and share.” Alyssa – thank you for your passion for our church, your pastoral heart for people, and your integrity. Your dedication to spend regular time with the God of the universe is easily seen and felt by all.
LeaderStep is in Full Swing!
Over 20 emerging and established leaders are actively engaging in discipleship strategies through practical Christian leadership development concepts. They’re exploring Manna’s 12 Operational Principles and gaining tools in mentoring, coaching, conflict resolution, effective communication, and burnout prevention. This is is not a course or a class, it is a robust small group where leaders are invested in, fellowship becomes family, and faith meets function.
Growth Track Alumni
The Growth Track Alumni group provides an opportunity for continued connection in between and beyond Growth Track groups. We help to preserve the relationships formed, provide access to key resources, and stay “in the know” about upcoming Growth Track events. Monthly fellowship gatherings offer a designated space and time for connection and bi-monthly SERVE opportunities accelerate discipleship growth through real-life ministry impact.
If you have any questions in the meantime, feel free to reach out to us at rebecca.dykes@manna.church
— Your Manna Church West Florida Growth Track Team
Manna WF Small Groups
Another great Connect Sunday has passed and even more people are making connections. We added 70 to Small Groups, 11 to our SERVE Team, and 40 to Growth Track! We’re excited and looking forward to hearing about the life change happening this summer cycle. If you’re still looking for a place to connect, it’s not too late to jump into a Small Group. All groups can be seen on our website. Life is better together so what are you waiting for? We got a place for YOU!
Manna Church, thank you for the prayers over our students and leaders that went to camp. We saw the hand of God at work at camp and are so grateful for the opportunity to have this time set aside. Our students are fired up about seeing God move in their lives and would love to share that with you. Find a Manna student this month and ask them about camp, I promise you will be blessed!
Check out what Manna STU is doing this month!
All rising 6th-12th graders are welcome and encouraged to join us.
As your summer calendar fills up with activities, remember our partners around the globe who are reaching out to serve their own communities. One of our mission partners, in India, is in the process of coordinating over 500 summer camps for children, impacting thousands of children and their families! Please pray for the leaders involved and the children they serve. Each family will be visited by a trained staff member to follow up after the camp. Pray that their hearts will opened and willing to accept the gospel.
On July 28, Alisha and Kayla Keener will be heading to Brazil to serve alongside Hour of Harvest. The team will be conducting a marriage retreat and leadership seminar for leaders of the indigenous church. These leaders travel to remote areas, sometimes walking for 3-5 days to reach new villages with the Jesus Film and the gospel message. Pray for the team and those attending the seminars that their ministry will be fruitful and blessed. Pray for good weather and that the roads will not become impassable to those wishing to attend.
Are you interested in how the Albania Vision trip went? Check out the latest podcast by clicking the link below or by finding Manna Church West Florida on Apple Podcasts.
