What kind of pastor would blog about his love for Sin City? That would be me. Heather and I love living in Las Vegas and are thankful that the Lord brought us here to start Southern Hills Baptist Church! Why do I love this town so much?
10. Cultural Diversity
I love living in a community where there is not one major ethnicity. Las Vegas is extremely multi-cultural and I believe that brings incredible flavor into our lives and our churches.
9. The Weather
Right now I am writing this and it is about 78 degrees outside. I love the weather here! Winter is coming and I won’t be shoveling snow and if I want to see snow it is only a 45 minute drive. In the summer it gets hot but that is why the Lord created swimming pools. 🙂
8. Gold & Silver Pawn (http://www.history.com/shows/pawn-stars)
I just love living in the same city with these guys. For those who don’t know the show… sorry.
7. The Restaurants
Heather and I love to eat good food. Of course we have all of the chains from fast-food (In-n-Out), to fast-casual (chipotle), to sit-down (chili’s). But we also have some of the greatest chef’s in the world (tom colicchio’s craft steak) and the best buffets (i’m looking at you MGM)
6. The Smith Center (www.thesmithcenter.com)
Just opened this year and it has helped Las Vegas bring in much talent. Heather and I saw Wicked and hope to take the girls to see the Nutcracker Ballet in the future.
5. 4 Hours from Southern California
I love Disneyland, and Santa Monica Pier and Balboa Park in San Diego. So. Cal. is in our back yard.
4. The Mountains
When you live in Las Vegas you live within a valley surrounded by beautiful mountains. It’s a big visual perk.
3. The People of Las Vegas
The people from Las Vegas are not from Las Vegas. They are from everywhere! We have found them to be the nicest, most hospitable people anywhere!
2. Southern Hills Baptist Church (www.shbaptist.com)
Perhaps I’m biased, but I believe Southern Hills to be the greatest church on the planet. The people are truly in love with Jesus, the music is powerful and worshipful, the pastor’s wife is beautiful, and the staff is organized. I don’t like the lead pastor all that much but everything else makes up for his failures.
1. God is Working Here
God is truly working in this place! Revival is happening as I see many churches being started, many churches growing numerically, souls are coming to know Christ and Christians are growing in their faith. I love this the best! I will enjoy this city as long as revival continues to pour out in this needy place
Why do you like Las Vegas? Comment Below:
22 Comments
Aaron Shakal
October 25, 2012 at 10:37 amI do miss home. I love coming back to Las Vegas for vacation to visit family and friends.
Joshua Teis
October 25, 2012 at 11:23 amThe city misses you!
Leon Stevens
October 25, 2012 at 11:34 amI have to agree with everything you listed, except for #2…I love the lead pastor!
Joshua Teis
October 25, 2012 at 11:38 amawww. that’s nice
Dawn Froehlich
October 25, 2012 at 1:26 pmIn addition to the many reasons you listed, I love Las Vegas because it is my home town—many memories, good and bad, which have shaped my life. Also, I love that it’s a 24 hour town. Have you ever gone somewhere expecting a store to be open and have to wait until morning? I almost wonder if I could adjust to living in another city!
Joshua Teis
October 25, 2012 at 1:30 pmAbsolutely true Dawn.
Once you have lived in Vegas it would be difficult to go elsewhere!
Alice Langton, Kissimmee Fl.
October 25, 2012 at 1:58 pmI love Las Vegas because the sweetest little man named Marcus Miller lives there. You can find him in the nursery at Southern Hills Baptist Church. I am the proud Great Grandmom.
Joshua Teis
October 25, 2012 at 3:02 pmThat boy smiles more than any child I’ve ever know. Great Kid!
Alicia
October 25, 2012 at 2:04 pmI love Las Vegas because it is where God has called us to be. There are things we really enjoy about and it and of course things we don’t, BUT it is perfect for us right now because it is where God wants us. I praise God for the spiritual growth that we have had here, in “Sin City” of all places. We know God brought us here to get us on track with him, but we also now know we have a lot to contribute for His glory, shining His Light, in a rather dark place full of hurting people.
Definitely LOVE SHBC, for helping us grow, so that I can have that attitude now!
(BTW, I think you may need to repent of lusting after the Pastor’s wife!!! LOL… she is gorgeous inside and out and you are a lucky man!)
Joshua Teis
October 25, 2012 at 3:31 pmYou and your husband have been incredible ministers to many! Keep up the good work.
as to Heather. Too pretty not to love!
Zach the Intern
October 25, 2012 at 2:06 pmI MISS VEGAS AND SHBC!!!!!! But you can keep the heat.
Joshua Teis
October 25, 2012 at 3:31 pmZack,
we loved having you here this past summer. you did a great job!
Trevor Summers
October 25, 2012 at 3:35 pmWell we have not been here a year yet, but are enjoying everything you mentioned that we have had the opportunity to experience. We are so glad the Lord had called us here and relish the opportunity to serve wherever needed. One thing I like (others might not agree) is that the roads are lain north to south and east to west; makes getting around and giving directions more simple and is a big plus over some other cities whose roads look like a plate of spaghetti. We also really love our church; without them, we would not feel so quite at home.
Anonymous
October 25, 2012 at 4:59 pmTotally agree! The road system set up in cities like Las Vegas and salt lake are wonderful. I lived 4 years in Pensacola and, got to tell you, some city’s are difficult to navigate!
Rick Owen
October 25, 2012 at 6:35 pmThis is my home, I grew up here and did most of my schooling here, including UNLV. I love the desert. I love our weather. The mountains are awesome. Great food.
Joshua Teis
October 25, 2012 at 8:13 pmUNLV. Forgot to include that one!
Navi Bola
October 25, 2012 at 7:29 pmI love Las Vegas because this is where I learnt how to be a fervent soulwinner. It was always a blessing to my heart to be able to lead someone to Christ in the midst of 110′ heat! Amen! And I will admit it….love the buffets!
Joshua Teis
October 25, 2012 at 8:12 pmWe love you in Vegas navi. You are a great missionary! Praying for you and the Fiji islands
Julie Lauber
November 2, 2012 at 10:10 pmIt’s a 24-hour town. If you do shift work, you can still eat any meal at whatever time you want. And, of course, Southern Hills Baptist Church is here. And…. swimming season is much longer here than in Chicago.
Joshua Teis
November 10, 2012 at 8:44 amYes. The swimming! forgot about the swimming
Sandra Planck
November 8, 2012 at 12:00 pmWe love Las Vegas for many of the reasons listed above AND because it’s home to one of our favorite supporting churches…shhhhhhhh .
Joshua Teis
November 10, 2012 at 8:44 amSandra! You are one of our favorite missionaries. WE wan’t tell if you don’t!