Exponential '11 Part #2

We've been reminded of our mission as a church plant and challenged to reach our neighborhoods and target areas with a new passion. Not to simply have a serving event once or twice a year but make it a lifestyle.
There's over three thousand church planters here. The connecting our team has had has been awesome and fun. This morning we had breakfast with the lead pastors and teams from the four churches in my coaching network. These are the guys I have a conference call with once a month and see twice a year at NewThing events. I was so glad to have our team rub shoulders with others that are doing similar ministry.
Today is our final day here at the conference:-( It went quick.

Exponential '11 Part #1

I've enjoyed hanging out with my NewThing friends at the pre-conference stuff. Each time we gather their is great teaching on how to lead people within the church and we have some fun together. That was yesterday morning and last night.
Today the regular conference began and we listened to Dave Ferguson and Alan Hirsch about their new book, "On the Verge" and how the conference will run.
Then Francis Chan spoke transparently about what the last year has been like for him and his family. He explained what he saw and experienced in China, India and Thailand after hearing the stories of persecuted Christ-followers. It was humbling to hear how others who follow Jesus are living compared to my life and church body experience. I'm sure the five of us will share more on Sunday morning.

Heading to Exponential 2011

I am again going to the largest church planting conference in the world called Exponential 2011. This year there are five others coming with me. Chuck & Deb Taylor, Dalan & Jocelyn Zartman and my brother-in-law Michael Wallenmeyer from NJ. Can't wait to hang with my NewThing buddies and Encounter friends. Oh and my bro-in-law:-)

Easter 2011

Yesterday's Easter service was extra special. We had the full band leading us in awesome worship, Bobby & Bobbie O'Neill gave a testimony about their relationship with Christ and each other, and there were two videos that did a great job accenting the message I preached. There were many visitors among us which tells me our people did a great job inviting others. It was our largest Sunday service to date: 222

Friends over for Easter weekend

This Easter weekend was such a pleasant time having our friends Frank and Eleanor Vander Meulen from Ontario, Canada. They brought two of their three children, Scott and Sophie. Yesterday the 10 of us went down to the Creation Museum in Kentucky. That's something our kids always enjoy. One of the extra options at the museum was a seminar called, "Snakes Alive". This guy owns dozens of snakes, lizards and other reptiles. All none poisonous:-)
We've known the Vander Meulen's for over 15 years having met them at the first church we served in Canada. There's a lot of fun memories we share:-)

New Message Series

Leading up to Easter (April 24) is a three week message series titled, Hero God. Everyone needs a hero and I believe God is the greatest hero for planet earth. We'll be looking at how God serves, sometimes disappoints, and ultimately wins in the end.

Encouraging Prank

This morning after the service I came out to the parking lot and found my jeep covered in PostIt notes. Thankfully they were all encouraging words from the Ekids classes. They were really fun to read. MISSION ACCOMPLISHED Ekids...I was encouraged:-)