By EricBaldwin on 6/9/2008 9:49 AM

The rain had passed.  The grass was damp.  And the sun began to peak through the clouds as the players took to the field with full stomachs of corn chips and grilled hot dogs in a volleyball game for the ages...Experience vs. Youth.  With a non-partial judge on the ladder and a competent back-up score keeper at the helm, the game began with an overhead serve of the Extreme Sports Elmo Ball.  The Teens were caught off guard as the ball fell to the ground giving the Wise Parents a quick one-point advantage.  (Maybe the teens had overlooked the shrewdness of their opponent.)  Play quickly resumed and Adam "The Beast" Winner was given a stern verbal warning about spiking the ball and intimidation.  It was obvious that everyone's competitive spirit was on overdrive this day, but luckily the judge was there to keep order.  Back and forth the game went with only a minor interruption by the occasional rogue leaf.

< ... Read More »

By EricBaldwin on 6/2/2008 9:45 AM

The weather is finally starting to get nice here in Michigan.  I was beginning to think that it would never happen!  The students aren't out of school yet, but we've kicked off our laid back summer schedule with a cook out at our house.  Our house is next door to the church's large yard which is perfect for playing Ultimate Frisbee.

 

 

 

I accidently created a group on facebook called BBQ @ The Baldwin's.  Check it out to see more pics from Sunday night.

We are doing this again on Sunday, June 8, and this time all of the parents are invited t ... Read More »

By EricBaldwin on 5/28/2008 9:42 AM

I've always been the type of person that went against stereotypes.  For instance, there aren't too many inner city youth workers that drive pick up trucks and listen to country music.  And most people wouldn't think that a short, not slim, white person would enjoy playing basketball as much as I do.  So when I decided to move to move to Michigan to become a youth pastor most people thought I would pick up the guitar, grow a goatee, wear my cell phone on my belt, and start playing golf.  I had planned to avoid all of these things just to go against stereotypes but something happened last weekend that I can't deny...I played golf and had fun!  I knew I would have fun with the guys that I went with, Caleb, Jake, and Adam, which is why I decided to go but I actually had fun playing the game.  I think it's because I shot a 51 on 9 holes!  That is like 25 under what I normally shoot.  It's amazing how much fun this game can be when the ... Read More »

By EricBaldwin on 5/20/2008 5:22 PM

A major change in life can make anyone nervous.  Am I making the right decision?  Should I go another route?  Who else will be affected by this?  Is this really what God wants me to do or is it what I want to do?  These are the types of questions that make me nervous when I'm faced with a major decision.  Most of the time we don't get the answers to some of these questions until after we have chosen a direction and looked back at where we have been.

When I felt like God was leading me away from ICI these were some of the questions that I had to wrestle with. I was certain that God was calling me on to something else but determing exactly what that was took a lot of prayer and time.  Leah and I prayed for a sense of peace about where we were supposed to go.  After visiting Lawton EMC we realized that this was where God was leading us so we made the move. 

God's peace was with us as ... Read More »

By EricBaldwin on 5/5/2008 10:54 AM

It's Monday, and I have officially been on the job for five days now.  Leah and I have been living here for about a week and we are still trying to get things out of boxes and situated in our house just right.  Moving is always difficult, but this has been made easier by all of the wonderful, caring people that we have met. 

Sunday was our installation service and I was thankful that my parents were able to come up to see the church.  We are also grateful for the many gifts that we received at our shower which really wasn't all that necessary.  Leah and I are extremely happy to be here and we are looking forward to serving with God's people in this youth ministry alongside Pastor Roger, Pastor Mike, and everyone here at LEMC.

By EricBaldwin on 3/25/2008 2:38 PM

This is the blog of Eric Baldwin, youth pastor at Lawton EMC.  I just got hired...and I'm not at the church yet...in fact...this isn't even me typing.  This is the webmaster...just testing Eric's site.