As I've watched the reports from our students who attended the Nazarene Youth Conference in Tampa this summer, my heart has been encouraged. I have warm memories of our opening night at the District Assembly, where we focused on passing our faith and leadership legacy to our young people. It was good that so many could attend, and we could personally pray for them. Now that they've returned, I'm praying that the infectious love of Christ present at the Tampa event will filter its way into our congregations and that the life of Jesus will be reflected in their faces.

 Life circumstances have caused me to think a lot about perspective, what's important, and what needs to be passed on. While lying awake in the early morning hours, thinking about all the challenges ahead and transitions coming, my heart wasn't at rest. I found peace in the night in the lyrics of an old gospel song. "Turn your eyes upon Jesus. Look full in his wonderful face, and the things of earth will grow strangely dim in the light of his glory and grace." I'm praying for us and our future as a district. I'm asking the Lord that as we gather, we will see the glory and grace of Jesus reflected in our lives and the hope we offer.