Twenty-five members of FBCER recently traveled to Santa Cruz, CA to assist Drew and Shannon Cunningham with the church plant they have started. FBCER has been partnering with what is now known as Santa Cruz Baptist Church since its inception almost two years ago. It has been encouraging to watch what was first known as the Santa Cruz Project grow into a congregation of believers totaling close to fifty men, women, and children.

The mission group from FBCER assisted Drew with service projects around the county helping him to build continued credibility and capital with local entities. Drew and Shannon have made great in-roads to a variety of different groups and organizations which are helping them build relationships to share the gospel. In Santa Cruz County only about 2% of the population is evangelical. There is a great need for Bible believing and Christ-centered churches in the area.

I want to encourage you to continue to pray for Drew and Shannon along with Santa Cruz Baptist Church. Here are some specific areas that you can pray:

• A place to gather. They are outgrowing their home and are in search of a meeting place to continue to grow and build the church. Meeting places are not as easy to find as they are in OK and the cost is much greater. Ask God to open doors.
• Their first VBS. In the next couple of weeks they will be hosting their first VBS. Pray for God to connect them with families to share the gospel and invite to their church.
• Energy and strength. Drew has a strong work ethic and is hosting many mission groups this summer. Ask God to bless him and his family with energy, strength, and rest for the work they are doing.

Our goal is to do more mission work in Santa Cruz in the future. In the meantime let me ask you to pray and give. Through your giving we are investing in missions around the world. Every time you give, a portion of that money is going to fund missions in ER, Oklahoma, the United States and North America, and ultimately around the world. Thank you for your continued support.

For His glory and your joy,

Pastor Charlie