📰 Monthly Newsletter 📰

🌸 Spring Radiance & Sisterhood

We began May with several ladies from our church heading to Georgetown, KY for the LACE “Spring Radiant” meeting. By all accounts, it was a powerful and refreshing time for our women’s ministry.

🎓 Honoring Our Graduates

This month, we proudly celebrated our 2025 high school graduates: Emma Miller, Makayla Salyer, Alexis Corbin, Lexie Boggs, and Noel Gillham. Three of these graduates are a vital part of our music ministry.

We also rejoiced with Daniel and Holly (Gillham) McQueen, who graduated from Ohio Christian University. The day was beautifully capped off by a surprise visit and an inspiring word from Evangelist Orvel Hisel, reminding us that "friendships are holy."

📖 Spiritual Growth & Deep Teaching

Rev. Taylor Jimenez Walker continued the impactful Sunday School series “Battlefield of the Mind,” helping us examine and renew our thought lives.

On Mother’s Day, our very own Sister Jennifer Hutchens (a woman of many roles: Associate Pastor’s wife, Youth Pastor, Sunday School Superintendent, and more!) preached an unforgettable sermon titled “Supplementing Our Faith” based on 2 Peter 1:1–9. She encouraged us to run a spiritual diagnostic and supply what our faith may be lacking—just as our bodies need supplements to stay strong.

That same Sunday, little Solomon, the youngest of Pastor Don and Sister Virginia’s family, was surrounded by five generations—his mom, grandma, great-grandma, and two great-great grandmas! A beautiful testament to a family heritage rooted in Christ.

🔥 Messages That Stirred Our Hearts

Associate Pastor Danny Hutchens reminded us to slow down and simply sit at the feet of Jesus, just as Mary did—giving Him our full attention.

Brother Jeremiah Purdin took us down memory lane to the days of AM/FM radios and tuning dials, using the analogy to say we must stay tuned to the goodness of God—don’t let life’s noise pull us out of spiritual frequency.

🎉 Pastor Don's Unforgettable Birthday Surprise

Our Ladies Ministry, led by Sister Kimberly Gregory, pulled off the ultimate birthday surprise for Pastor Don. With help from Sister Taylor and t-shirt wizard Sister Kayla Sullivan, over 30 custom shirts were printed with Pastor’s most memorable quotes.

Some crowd favorites:

• “Whip a bear with a switch”

• “If Cadillacs were a dime a dozen…”

• “Well glory!”

• “No time wasted on this journey when you stop to pray”

• “Confused as a termite in a yo-yo” and Pastor’s own: “Hi my name is Don, how do you like me so far?”

To top it off, his best friend Rev. Jamey Horton preached both services that day. (He said if he had known about the shirts, he would’ve added: “Jamey, if you don’t shut up, I’m gonna bust you in the mouth.”) Don't miss the video recap on our Facebook page!

⭐ Honoring the Fallen

Special thanks to Sister Kayla Purdin, our media minister, who honored the real reason for Memorial Day by setting up a “Fallen Soldier Table” in the church foyer—a moving tribute to those who gave their lives for our freedom.

💧 A Life Changed Through Compassion

In a touching moment, Christina McGraw was baptized during Pastor Don’s birthday celebration. She found our church through a social media post—one that, sadly, received unkind comments elsewhere. But our church responded with love, support, and action, reminding us that small acts of kindness can lead to eternal impact.

🎶 Faith in Action

We were also reminded that God is still using the younger generation. Sister Emily, the sweat heart of our drummer and guitarist Elijah Joo, paid $50 to cover her work shift just so she could be in church. That’s the kind of hunger God can use mightily!

🔥 Looking Ahead

If May was powerful, June is shaping up to be just as exciting! From VBS preparations to continued revival, let’s pray for one another and keep fanning the flames.

Stay encouraged. Stay connected. Stay on fire for God.

The Living Church of Five Mile