This week's newsletter from Gene

Well, spring has sprung on us and summer isn’t far behind. We have a couple of trips coming up for the 50+ crowd. If you are under 50, see me for a special dispensation!! I’ll have final costs on these trips in the next few days, but wanted to let you know they are coming so you have more time to consider them.

Spring Jubilee in Branson April 19-23. This is not the normal Branson trip to see their shows, but is a conference put on by an independent group, Jubilee Conferences, and features some of the top gospel recording artists and preachers. We will leave here Tuesday, April 19th, and arrive in Branson Wednesday afternoon. The conference begins that night with a concert by David Phelps, speaker Herb Reavis and comedienne Chonda Pierce. The conference will also include Johnny Hunt speaking (one of my favorites), Karen Peck and New River, Dixie Melody Boys, Ricky Skaggs and Squire Parsons in concert. Exact numbers later, but trip cost will probably be about $350.00 per person, double occupancy, including meals. Go to www.jublieeconferences.com for more info.

We have done many retreats in Palacios over the years and one of the favorite formats is a staff-led retreat. Many of you don’t get to interact much with our staff, and we should have a new youth coordinator on staff by then. This will provide an excellent time with our ministry staff in a very informal, relaxed setting. The encampment at Palacios has nice motel-like rooms, double queen beds with private baths, and is right on the bay. The price is right, $125.00 per person, double occupancy, meals included. If you are under 50 and would like to attend, let me know.

I’ll provide more details and registration deadlines by next week.