TODAY AT NEW DAY

Sermon Series

This weekend, we continued our series on David’s life, “Heart of a Champion.” If you missed this weekend’s message, you can watch it here.

A Note from our Lead Pastor, Rusty Russell

Hey my friend, I hope you’re enjoying these mid-week enewsletters from the pastoral staff. I’ve asked each pastor to write about his family and his ministry so you can get to know each one better. I hope it’s a simple way to stay connected.

This week it’s my turn to update you on what’s going on in my life. God has taken us through many trials in recent years, but we are in a good season. My wife Kellie’s health is much improved, and we’re thankful for all God is doing at New Day and in our family. I would love for you to rejoice with me regarding two significant areas where God has really blessed us.

The first is with my four children. Kellie pointed out to me a few weeks ago that all four of our kids were involved in leading worship at their various churches on the same weekend. My oldest son, Charlie, and his wife, Faith, live here in the Port Charlotte area. He and my youngest son, Johnny, help often at New Day in student and adult worship, playing guitars, singing, or doing whatever is needed. My middle son, Tommy, and his wife, Rebecca, live in Louisville, Kentucky. Tommy is the worship leader at Hikes Point Christian Church in Louisville, Kentucky. Hikes Point was planted by my home church, Southeast Christian. When Southeast relocated to a larger property in the late 90s, they wanted to leave behind a church on their original property on Hikes Lane, so they planted Hikes Point Christian Church. That means Tommy is leading worship in the building where I grew up going to church and was baptized! My daughter, Kimberly, and her husband, Jacob, live in Tampa. Kim recently began singing on the worship team at Bell Shoals Church. It’s a great church and I’m so thankful they’ve gotten involved there. If you’re ever in the Tampa area, you should worship at Bell Shoals – and you might catch my daughter Kim on the vocal team!

The second area where God has blessed in recent months is the outreach ministry I do with the football team at Port Charlotte High School. The revival that began last year has continued, and we have now baptized almost 50 football players in the last year – and four coaches! We have a weekly chapel on Tuesdays after practice, and last week about 70 players attended the chapel. They sing so loud it brings tears to your eyes, and they love learning God’s Word. Many of these young men come out of very tough backgrounds. Football has provided a fraternity for them and a place to learn to be men of courage and conviction. One young man is staying in our home right now during his senior year because his grandmother who raised him is undergoing some serious health issues. Pray for him – it’s not easy living in a preacher’s home! I’m thankful for an incredible coaching staff that has a vision for seeing these young men become not just great football players but godly leaders in our community. These young men are survivors and overcomers, and I can’t wait to see what God does with each of them.

Thanks for being a part of our church family and rejoicing with me today. Please know Kellie and I love you and are thankful for you. Please keep us in your prayers.

In Jesus,
Pastor Rusty