We live in a world obsessed with the here and now. We want it now. We want it faster. We want to experience everything this life has to offer. We work for it, save for it, borrow for it, and sometimes sacrifice tomorrow to have it today.

But danger arises when the temporary becomes more important than the eternal. The Bible calls us to look higher. Jesus taught us to pray, “Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name” (Matthew 6:9). Paul told us to “set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth” (Colossians 3:2). Why? Because there is more beyond this life.

Heaven is not merely a religious idea. It is not a comforting story invented to help us cope with death. Heaven is real. Heaven is a place. And heaven is where everything that matters eternally is waiting for us.

Think about what is already in heaven. Our Savior is there. Hebrews 9:24 tells us that Christ has entered “into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us.” Jesus is there. The One who loves us, died for us, and rose again is in heaven, and He promised to come again for us.

Our brothers and sisters are there. Hebrews 12:23 speaks of the “general assembly and church of the firstborn, which are written in heaven.” Generations of faithful believers have already finished their journey. They are home.

Our name is there. Jesus told His disciples, “Rejoice, because your names are written in heaven” (Luke 10:20). We are not strangers to heaven. We belong there.

Our inheritance is there. Peter describes it as “an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you” (1 Peter 1:4).

Our citizenship is there. Paul said, "For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ..." (Philippians 3:20 NKJV).

Our reward is there. Jesus said, “Great is your reward in heaven” (Matthew 5:12).

And if our Savior is there, our family in Christ is there, our name is there, our inheritance is there, our citizenship is there, and our reward is there, then it should not surprise us that our home is there. Peter reminds us that we are strangers, pilgrims, and aliens in this world. This world is not our final destination. (1 Peter 2:11)

Yet how easily we become attached to this world. We can spend our lives pursuing things that will eventually disappear. Houses will age. Cars will rust. Possessions will be discarded. Careers will end. Bodies will grow old. Everything we can see is temporary.

Paul understood this. He endured tremendous hardship, yet he wrote, “For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory” (2 Corinthians 4:17). Paul was able to endure the present because he could see beyond it. Heaven changes how we live on earth. When our eyes are fixed on eternity, temporary troubles do not have the final word. We can endure what we cannot understand because we know there is an eternal glory beyond what we can see.

Paul continued, “For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens” (2 Corinthians 5:1). Our earthly tent is temporary. But God has prepared something eternal. That is why Paul could say, “Absent from the body… present with the Lord” (2 Corinthians 5:8). What a promise!

Jesus Himself said, “In my Father's house are many mansions…I go to prepare a place for you” (John 14:2).

A place. Not a feeling. Not a dream. Not an imaginary destination. A place. And Jesus continued, “I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also” (John 14:3).

Heaven is where Jesus is, and Jesus wants us to be where He is. That ought to change the way we live. The Holy Ghost we have received is the pledge of what is coming. What we experience in God's presence today is only a foretaste of what awaits us. The peace we know now will be there in fullness. The joy we experience now will be there in fullness. The fellowship we have with Christ now by faith will one day be fully realized. The hymn writer called it “a foretaste of glory divine.”

What we experience here is only the beginning. There is more beyond. So don't become so consumed with this world that you lose your desire for the next one. Don't allow the temporary to rob you of your eternal perspective. Lift your eyes. Set your heart on things above. Because everything we truly love is there.

Our Savior is there.

Our loved ones in Christ are there.

Our name is there.

Our inheritance is there.

Our reward is there.

Our home is there.

And one day, if we remain faithful, we will be there!

In Valladolid, Spain, where Christopher Columbus died in 1506, stands a monument commemorating the great discoverer. Perhaps the most interesting feature of the memorial is a statue of a lion destroying one of the Latin words that had been part of Spain's motto for centuries. Before Columbus made his voyages, the Spaniards thought they had reached the outer limits of the earth. Thus, their motto was “Ne Plus Ultra,” which means “No More Beyond.” The word being torn away by the lion is “ne” or “no,” making it read “Plus Ultra.” Columbus had proven that there was indeed “more beyond.”

So, keep going. Keep believing. Keep serving. Keep your eyes on Jesus. Because this is not all there is.

There truly is MORE BEYOND.

MISSION LOUISIANA

Thank you to all our pastors and congregations who continue to send funds and fulfill their pledges toward building our New Boys’ Dorm.

Mission Louisiana Offering Total – $2,496,737.48!

Please join us in prayer as we continue the process of partnering with the right builder. We look forward to breaking ground and beginning the construction phase soon, in Jesus Name!

INCREASE GROWTH CONFERENCE

Louisiana Increase Growth Conference 2026 was just incredible.

~ 58 Churches Registered ~ 3 States Represented ~ Over 200 in Attendance ~ 16 Speakers ~ 6 General Sessions ~ 15 Breakout Sessions ~ 3 Ask-an-Expert exhibit booths

Biblical inspiration and practical application (nuts & bolts). Louisiana Churches are going to experience increase in Jesus ' name!

REMINDER

Pastors: Please remember to send in your PLEDGES for Camp Meeting: Thursday PM World Missions Offering and/or Friday PM Mission LA Offering. Thank you for your support

Happy October!

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Superintendent’s OCTOBER Itinerary

Sept 29–Oct 2 Salt Lake City, UT (General Conference)

22-30   Vacation

With holy indignation burning in his heart, the prophet Elijah boldly marched into the palace of King Ahab. He delivered a stinging word of judgment from the Lord: “There shall not be dew nor rain these years, but according to my word” (1 Kings 17:1). After delivering this fearless message, Elijah received an immediate command from God to hide in the eastern wilderness by the brook Cherith.

In that isolated canyon, God orchestrated a supernatural survival plan. While the surrounding land baked, cracked, and withered under a merciless sun, Elijah wanted for nothing. Every morning and every evening, ravens flew in to deliver bread and meat. Below him, the splashing waters of the brook yielded a constant, life-giving supply of refreshing water. Divine blessings surrounded Elijah, and fresh commitments of praise filled his lips.

Then, the unthinkable happened. Scripture records a stark shift: “And it came to pass after a while, that THE BROOK DRIED UP” (1 Kings 17:7). Imagine the shock and confusion that must have gripped the prophet as he walked down to the creek bed, only to find dry, brown stones. Suddenly, it seemed that God's promises were failing, or that the Almighty had abandoned him entirely.

This same pattern plays out in our spiritual lives today. We experience seasons of revival, abundant blessings, and deep personal commitments to God. Then, without warning, the brook dries up. It is not that God has stopped moving, but rather that something that was going perfectly right suddenly goes completely wrong.

What Elijah could not see while staring at that dry creek bed was that God was intentionally building his faith, preparing him for what was next. As Elijah listened in the silence of the wilderness, God spoke a new direction: “Arise, get thee to Zarephath… behold, I have commanded a widow woman there to sustain thee” (1 Kings 17:9). God closed one door specifically to open another.

Our God is a God of progress; nothing He does moves in reverse. He uses what we perceive as obstacles and hindrances as the very bridges and highways to transport us to our next level of call and purpose. Had the brook Cherith never dried up, Elijah would have comfortably lingered there forever, content with peaceful plenty. But in doing so, he would have missed the subsequent miracles God had scheduled for him. He would have missed the widow's inexhaustible jar of oil and flour. He would have missed the fire falling on Mount Carmel, the downpour that ended the drought, and the calling of Elisha to carry the mantle for the next generation.

God's brooks always dry up eventually because He refuses to let us stay stagnant. Unfortunately, our human nature craves comfort, and when our resources diminish, we often weep and assume God is punishing us. The enemy eagerly steps into those moments of vulnerability, whispering lies that we have failed or that God no longer cares. But your current trial may not be the result of doing something wrong. It may be happening because you are doing something right, and God is ready to advance you forward. Elijah was not backsliding when the water stopped flowing; he was growing. God routinely moves His people from faith to faith and victory to victory by way of trouble.

When you find yourself standing beside a dried-up brook, you must maintain the faith to declare that "all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose" (Romans 8:28). Scripture constantly reminds us of the mysterious blessings hidden within trials. Simon Peter warned believers to "think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you" (1 Peter 4:12), while James made the radical statement to "count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience" (James 1:2-3). Even King David, reflecting on his own intense seasons of suffering, penned these profound words: “It is good for me that I have been afflicted; that I might learn thy statutes” (Psalm 119:71).

When your human faculties rebel against your painful circumstances, and you cannot fathom how any good could come from your loss, that is the exact moment you must cling tightly to the Word of God. Trust the divine process. The drying of your current brook is not the end of your story; it is simply God’s appointment pushing you toward your next miracle.

Mission Louisiana

A huge thank you to everyone who made our three-year capital stewardship campaign such a wonderful success! While the formal campaign has wrapped up, we are still joyfully receiving gifts, offerings, and outstanding pledges specifically for the New Boys’ Dorm. Your continued generosity is bringing this project to the finish line, and we are incredibly grateful for your ongoing support.

Mission Louisiana Offering Total - $2,459,369.48!

New Boys' Dorm

We are making wonderful progress on our building journey! We are actively receiving estimates from builders, bringing us one step closer to bringing our vision to life. Even better, we have discovered new ways to optimize our logistics, unlocking substantial savings that will maximize the impact of every dollar. We are deeply committed to being exceptional stewards of this project, ensuring every detail is handled with the utmost diligence and care for our shared future. Our New Boys’ Dorm is going to be a tremendous blessing to the Louisiana District!

Increase Growth Conference – September 17-19, 2026

Equip your leadership team for a new season of impact at the upcoming INCREASE Growth Conference, coming to the Tioga campgrounds this September 17–19, 2026. This three-day experience focuses on practical strategies to deepen your community footprint and revitalize your local ministry.

Attendees will gain fresh insights from an exceptional speaking lineup featuring David Bernard, Kenneth Stewart, Mark Condon, and Jimmy Toney, along with specialized breakouts led by dynamic local leaders. It is an ideal space to network, swap ideas, and recharge with ministry peers.

Registration is mandatory for everyone so our team can adequately prepare resources and catering. Head to ladistupc.com to lock in your spots today.

Pastors: Please remember to send in your PLEDGES for the Thursday PM World Missions Offering & Friday PM Mission LA Offering. Thank you for your support.

Happy September!

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Superintendent’s Itinerary

SEPTEMBER

9-11     Out of the Office

17-19   Tioga, LA – Increase Growth Conf.

25-27   Salem, IL – Pastor Calvin Jean

Sept 28 – Oct 3   Salt Lake, UT – Board Mtgs/General Conf.

2026 Kids and Youth Camps

One of the greatest blessings of the Louisiana District is the exceptional leadership God has given us to serve our children and youth. I am deeply grateful for the dedicated teams who invest countless hours planning, preparing, praying, and ministering so that every camper has the opportunity to experience the life-changing presence of God. Our summer camps continue to be one of the greatest ministries of our district. Nearly 3,000 children and youth attended our camps this summer, and 313 precious young people were filled with the gift of the Holy Ghost! What an incredible demonstration of God's power and faithfulness!

111th Camp Meeting

Heaven invaded earth during our 111th Camp Meeting. Pastors, ministers, and saints are overflowing with testimonies of the historic, life-altering impact of this holy convocation. My soul is in complete agreement: from the breathtaking opening video honoring our "Foundation" to the final, tear-stained altar call on Friday night, every single moment was orchestrated by the finger of God.

The main floor of our tabernacle was nearly full during the day services. Wednesday and Friday nights experienced capacity crowds. Most gloriously, we watched with holy awe as precious souls were baptized with the Holy Ghost for the very first time! Only eternity will reveal the full recording of miracles, supernatural infillings, and the vast army of believers who were dynamically strengthened, encouraged, and empowered.

Kingdom Victories – We shout praises for these monumental, God-given victories:

• 20 New Partners in Missions (PIMs) were committed, for an astounding total of $1,000 in monthly support for our Global Missionaries attending.
• Thursday PM World Missions Offering - $185,612.09 (cash & pledges)
• Friday PM Mission LA Offering - $116,752.38 (cash & pledges)

If you were unable to attend Camp Meeting or if you would like to go back and relive the services, you can view all archived 2026 Camp Meeting services at:  https://www.YouTube.com/@LouisianaDistrictUPCI/streams

Pastors: Please remember to send in your PLEDGES for the Thursday PM World Missions Offering & Friday PM Mission LA Offering. Thank you for your support.

2026 Spanish Camp Meeting Report

The theme for this year’s Spanish Camp Meeting was “Alabanza” or “Praise”. That’s just what took place as over 800 Spanish-speaking brothers and sisters from across the state gathered on the old campgrounds. By the end of the camp meeting, 44 had received the wonderful gift of the Holy Ghost!

Mission Louisiana – A Milestone of Faith, Unity, and Sacrifice

What an unforgettable moment we experienced during the closing service of the 2026 Louisiana District Camp Meeting! On Friday night, the Louisiana District once again demonstrated what can happen when God's people unite around a common vision. With hearts full of faith and a spirit of joyful sacrifice, ministers, congregations, and friends gave an incredible $116,752.38 (including pledges) toward the construction of our new Boys' Dorm.

Because of your generosity, we are thrilled to announce that Mission Louisiana has now reached  an astounding total of $2,400,085!

What an extraordinary testimony! This remarkable achievement reflects far more than dollars raised; it represents a district that believes in investing in future generations, strengthening our campgrounds, and advancing the Kingdom of God. Every gift, every sacrifice, and every prayer brought us one step closer to seeing this vision become a reality. To every pastor, church, family, and individual who has faithfully supported Mission Louisiana, thank you. Your generosity is building far more than a dormitory; it is helping create a place where countless young lives will encounter the presence of God for years to come.

New Boys' Dorm Project Update

We are excited to report that steady progress continues as we move toward construction of our new Boys' Dorm. Site preparation is well underway with the relocation of the double-wide trailer, removal of existing structures, completion of soil borings, and plans to relocate an underground drainage line and clear the remaining trees.

We have also refined portions of the design, including upgrading to a commercial gas water heating system to better serve the hundreds of campers who will use the facility each year. At the same time, we are in the final stages of selecting the builder to ensure we receive the highest quality construction while being faithful stewards of God's resources.

The greatest news is that more than $2.4 million is already in the bank earning interest (current market rate) as we complete these final preparations. God has been faithful every step of this journey. With great expectation, we look forward to the day when we break ground and watch this vision become a reality.

Increase Growth Conference – September 17-19, 2026

Unlock your church's full potential at the upcoming Increase Church Growth Conference, happening September 17–19, 2026! Hosted at our beautiful district campgrounds in Tioga, LA, this transformative three-day event is designed to equip pastors, leaders, and volunteers with innovative strategies, practical tools, and fresh spiritual inspiration to expand your ministry's reach.

Hear dynamic lessons from featured speakers David Bernard, Kenneth Stewart, Mark Condon, and Jimmy Toney, alongside powerful Louisiana voices teaching breakout sessions. You will connect with like-minded leaders and discover proven methods to engage your community more deeply.

All attendees must register due to lunch and resources being provided. Visit https://growthconference.ladistupc.com/ for more information and registration.  

Happy August!

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Superintendent’s AUGUST Itinerary

2          Gonzales, LA – Pastor Wilfredo Garcia

7-8       Tioga, LA – Building the Bridge Conf.

16        Franklinton, LA – Pastor Bryan Bates

23        Lafayette, LA (30^th Church Annv.) – Pastor Derek Weber

27-28   Tioga, LA – District Board Meetings

28-29   Tioga, LA – District Leadership Retreat

30        Winnfield, LA – Pastor Justin Fisher