Random thoughts on Life, Leadership, & Messy Spirituality

Posts tagged “Volunteers

Haiti Mission Trip + Last Minute Supplies Needed

Our next Haiti Mission trip is coming up this Saturday. I & our team from Eagle Pointe church & a team from Mountain Lake church, will head back to Port Au Prince/Carrefour Feb. 11-18. Our team will be providing basic medical care in areas where there is none. We are also providing feeding programs, working with an orphanage, & building a church & school. ***See VIDEO  at bottom of this post of some of the work we’re doing.

I will be posting updates, pictures & videos, all next week on my Facebook page & Twitter. I hope you will follow the work we are doing & be praying for us & the Haitian people we will be serving.

***NOTE: Below are some last minute items we need to round up right away to take to Haiti… (If you can help – please EMAIL ME immediately)

1) We need a decent computer & printer, & a laptop for our church in Haiti. (GO GOD – computers & printers have been taken care of)

2) We need lots of  small toys, stuffed animals, & bags of candy to hand out to kids at our medical clinic & orphanage.

3) We need several LeapFrog LeapPad App Center Download Cards. (This is for Pastor Ricardo & Kendra’s children who they homeschool. We already got them a LeapPad)

Again, If you can help with any of these items – please EMAIL ME immediately!

BTW: Our next Haiti Mission Trips are June 9-16 & Oct. 6-13. ***We may add a 2nd week in June due to demand. ***In addition to construction types & general helpers – we ALWAYS need doctors, nurses, EMT’s, etc for these trips. Let me know if you are interested in going.


We’ve Got A HUGE Day Coming Up This Sunday!!!

FIRST:

Seriously, do not miss the exciting wrap-up of our “You Don’t Have What It Takes” teaching series this Sunday Jan. 29th – 9:30 & 11:00AM . My message will be on how “You Can’t Control the Future” – & why that is a very good thing.

We try to make sure that EVERY Sunday at Eagle Pointe is dynamic, relevant, & life-changing. However, I believe that this Sunday will blow your mind & that this will be the most powerful, life-changing message of this series. (and that’s saying something). PLEASE DO NOT MISS IT!

Also, if you have friends you are praying for to discover Jesus – you need to do flat-out WHATEVER IT TAKES to get them here! I believe God is going to use this message to soften & open even the hardest & most closed off hearts towards Him. PRAY & INVITE!   PS. Don’t forget to bring coats & jackets for the homeless this Sunday.

SECOND:

This Sunday evening Jan. 29th at 6PM will be our Momentum Pre-Super Bowl Party & everyone is invited!  Wear your favorite football team gear, bring some good potluck food to share, and join the fun! Momentum is one of the best environments for you to get inspired & equipped for ministry.

In addition to having fun & thanking all those who serve & help carry out what we are doing here at Eagle Pointe, I will be sharing something God has been showing me recently that all of our folks need to hear.  If you call Eagle Pointe your church home you REALLY need to be there this Sunday evening! Please help me get the word out & get everyone in our church there on Sunday morning & evening.



Leaders are Learners – New Website

I have set up a new webpage/blog designed to help our ministry leaders of Eagle Pointe church grow in their leadership abilities & calling. As I say, “leaders are learners” and we all need to be constantly growing & stretching ourselves so that we can better serve our Lord & our church. I also decided to open this site up to everyone who might be interested. We have many ministry friends & partners around the country & world who may benefit.

Periodically, on this site (usually once a week), I will share podcasts, seminars, etc that I am learning from. Usually, when I am working out at the gym I am also listening to some audio training to help me be a better leader. As I say, working out my body & mind.

What I ask of each of you is that, as I post these, you listen to them at least 3 times. We never get everything the 1st time through & we will normally miss some things the 1st time or two. So, listen 3 times & then “reply” to that post & let me know what were your top 5 takeaways from it. I pray we all grow together to become all that God desires us to be in our leadership roles in His church.

Here is a link to the new site - Leaders Are Learners


Haiti Mission Trip – Supplies & Donations Needed

Here is an updated list of supplies needed for our Haiti mission trip. At the bottom is also a list of the money for projects we need to fund-raise between now & then. We leave on Saturday Feb. 11th!!! PLEASE help us round up these supplies & donations. We need these dropped off at Eagle Pointe by Sunday Feb 5th – so we can pack everything up & have it ready to go.

Also, if you are unable to bring items to Eagle Pointe – again, donations of money are definitely needed (we will be buying a lot of needed supplies in Haiti – easier than carrying it all & supports the local economy). You can donate online HERE  (be sure to select “Serve The World”)  or email me.

General Items:

  • Tooth brushes
  • Tooth paste
  • Small toys, dolls, etc to giveaway to children (LOTS of small items are easier to pack in suitcases & can cover more kids – ‘happy meal size’ is ideal)
  • Candy to giveaway to children (lg bags of smaller pieces)
  • Multi-Vitamins (Children & Adult)

Medical Items: (We need LOTS of these medical supplies)

  • Anti-fungal medicine (Lotrimin or other otc athletes foot meds)
  • Permethrin 5%
  • Neosporin/polysporin
  • Benadryl  (tabs & children’s liquid)
  • Ibuprofen (adult and children’s liquid)
  • Acetaminophen (adult and children’s liquid)
  • Imodium
  • 1 % hydrocortisone cream or other prescription steroid cream
  • Permethrin 5%
  • Antibiotics by prescription  (Amoxicillin, Keflex, Bactrim, Ciprofloxacin, Augmentin, etc)
  • Mebendazole by prescription
  • PinX  (otc pinworm medicine)
  • Antibiotic eye drops – by prescription
  • Visine and Visine allergy
  • Albuterol inhaler by prescription
  • Prednisone oral tablets and liquid – by prescription
  • Glucometers & test strips
  • Guaze
  • Medical tape
  • Blood pressure medicines by prescription
  • Diabetes oral medication by prescription

Money – fundraised: (Items bought in Haiti)

  • $3000 – building materials for school & pastor’s house
  • $600 – local laborers to assist w/ construction projects
  • $2500 – food for feeding programs (local church & while we are there)
  • $1000 – to bless local church in their ministry

Please help us make a difference in the lives of so many struggling people & families in Haiti & show them the real, practical, & tangible love of Jesus!

PS. If you are interested in going on our next Haiti trips (June 9-16 & Oct. 6-13) please email me.


You Don’t Have What It Takes

This Sunday at Eagle Pointe we will kick-off an incredible, life changing teaching series called “You Don’t Have What It Takes“. As we face the start of a brand new year, many of us have fears & uncertainties about our world, as well as, doubts about ourselves & our abilities.

The reality is that trying to juggle everything life throws at you can feel like a three-ring circus. No matter how hard you try, you’ll never be able to handle it all on your own. Bet you didn’t know that was a good thing!

We all struggle with feelings of “we’re not good enough”, “we can’t handle it all”, “we can’t please everyone”, & “we can’t control the future”. We all battle fears & insecurities; we all struggle with feelings of inadequacy; and as a result we tend to allow those fears to paralyze us & keep us from moving forward into the life that we were created for & designed to live.

In this series we will learn how God can “make up the difference” of where we fall short, & how He can help us break free of our fears & insecurities & launch out boldly into the life He desires for each of us.

I cannot encourage you strongly enough to not miss this Sunday at Eagle Pointe & each week of this series — it WILL change your life! Please also care enough about your friends, neighbors, co-workers, etc to do flat-out WHATEVER IT TAKES to get them here!

Here are 2 promo videos you can share with friends…


Don’t Miss The Bus!

2012 is going to be 1 wild ride here at Eagle Pointe Church – are you ready? Have you already jumped on the bus? To me it seems that there tends to be 2 types of people in church settings when it comes to this. Those who sit back & wait. They want to observe from a distance, not get too close to the action, and wait and see if the ride, once it gets going, looks like something they want to be a part of. For whatever reason, they don’t want to jump on board too soon. Maybe they don’t want to take the risk of committing themselves, their time, talents, and resources when they’re not 100% sure what the outcome will be.

Problem! These are also the same people who usually wait until it’s too late. By the time they decide to jump on board, the bus is so far down the road that they can’t catch up. That’s the way it is most of the time with whatever it is that God is doing. God reveals His vision for something He is up to, & it’s up to us to decide if we’re willing to and going to have the faith to jump on board His bus before it departs.

I love the story of Peter walking on the water with Jesus (Matthew 14:22-33). Many people chastise Peter for taking his eyes off Jesus and beginning to sink. In my view, Peter was the only disciple who had the guts & audacity to believe Jesus enough to get out of the stinkin’ boat. The rest stayed in the comfort & safety of the boat, while Peter took the leap/step of faith and went on the adventure of a lifetime with Jesus.

God wants to take Eagle Pointe Church on the adventure of a lifetime in 2012 & beyond! Are you going to sit back, observe, and wait and see if the ride looks safe? Are you going dip your toe in the water to test it out? Or are you going to take a leap of faith as Peter did? Are you going to jump on board the bus, buckle up, hold onto your pancreas, and get ready for the ride & adventure of a lifetime?

The bus is departing very soon! It’s time to decide! What will YOU do?


Helping the Homeless this Christmas

Here in the Greater Atlanta area, homelessness is a serious epidemic. Experts estimate that we have approximately 20,000 homeless people in Greater Atlanta. With only 3,500 shelter beds available in the area, that leaves several thousand homeless Atlantans with nowhere to sleep at night. AND – here we are barreling full steam ahead into winter.

Many people suffer from the misconception that homeless people are too lazy to work or addicted to drugs. However, many homeless people are victims of job loss, physical illness, domestic violence, etc. In fact, statistics tell us 40% of these homeless people are women & children! Think about that! Also, approx. 50% of these homeless people work – they have jobs!

The problem is that most are earning minimum wage. One wage earner being paid the state’s minimum wage ($6.55/hour) would need to work 85 hours per week to afford a two-bedroom apartment. Even with two full-time minimum-wage earners, decent housing is not attainable in most places in Greater Atlanta. Therefore, we have an epidemic of families living in their cars or on the streets.

Last night while watching my kids play in the comfort of our warm home, I thought about all those families & people living on the streets. It was cold & raining last night here in the Atlanta area. And I thought about how it wouldn’t take much in today’s economic climate for any of our families to find ourselves in the same situation.

I will be talking about some of this & how we can show care to those in need/”the least of these” this Sunday at Eagle Pointe, as we continue our “Let It Be…Christmas” series. As well, your generous gifts towards our “Serve the World Christmas Offering” will help us & our ministry partners continue to assist homeless people & families in 2012. (You can DONATE ONLINE & please check out the blog series I did…  “Serve the World: Christmas Offering – Part 1,  Part 2,  Part 3  Part 4, & Part 5.”)

In addition to that, I want to challenge you to do something right now, today & this week, in order to help the homeless.

We’re collecting supplies for Winter Survival Kits for the Homeless. We need Jackets/sweaters, Ponchos, Gloves & Hats, Hand & feet Warmers, Blankets, Socks, Wipes, Batteries AA & AAA, etc. You can drop supplies at Eagle Pointe church this week from 6:30AM – 6:00PM.

This Saturday Dec. 10th at 9AM we will be putting together the Winter Survival Kits at The Extension. Then at 4PM we will be giving out these kits to area homeless people at Must Ministries.

Please contact Rusty Draper (678) 551-9736 if you would like to help on Saturday – we do need several volunteers.


How Comfortable Do People Feel In Your Church?

How comfortable do people feel in your church?

I know, I know, that was a beer commercial but I think it illustrates a great point for churches to consider – how comfortable do new people, different people, people who are not exactly like us, FEEL when they come into our church???

Many of you know that I walked away from church for a 6 year period of my life. I was a bodyguard & head of security for some of the biggest rock n’ roll bands in the world. I rode motorcycles, had long hair & tattoos, & I remember vividly the looks I would get from those who I looked different from. I remember when I “gave church a try” with Gina, who would later become my wife, and the uneasiness I felt. Would this be like the uptight, holier than thou, legalistic church I had grown up in? Would these people accept me or would I be an outcast?

Most of the people coming through our doors have never been to church, or haven’t been in many years because of a bad experience or they never saw the relevance of church. And as they pull onto our parking lot they are experiencing a great deal of uneasiness. They are wondering – Am I dressed right? What will they people be like? Will I be accepted or looked down on? What is the music like? What is the pastor like? Will they ask me to drink the Kool-Aid? Many times I liken it to going to a party where you don’t know anyone. As uneasy as that is for all of us, it’s about 20 times worse for people walking into a church where they don’t know anyone.

Listen – it is our responsibility to put them at ease immediately. I tell people that our “Host Team” (greeters, parking, ushers, coffee servers, children’s check-in, etc) may be the most important ministry in our entire church. Studies tell us that the average visitor to a church will make up their mind within in the 1st 8 minutes as to whether they are ever coming back to that church again. Did you catch that??? EIGHT STINKIN’ MINUTES!!! 8 minutes is about the time it takes for them to park, walk in the building, check-in their kids, grab a cup of coffee, & MAYBE have heard the 1st song! Think about that!

We are in a community where 90% of the people within a 5 mile radius of our church do not go to church regularly. We work our tails off to try to reach out to them & to get them to “give church a try”, & when they come they are feeling that uneasiness & they are looking for an excuse to say “AH HA! THAT’S why I don’t go to church!”

So, in addition to having a kick butt Host Team, I tell everyone who comes to Eagle Pointe that WE ARE ALL, every single one of us, is on Host Team EVERY weekend! It is up to us to make sure that everyone, no matter who they are or what they look like, feels loved, welcomed, accepted, & appreciated from the moment they pull onto our parking lot until they the moment they leave.

Because if we blow that first 8 minutes, if we don’t make a great first impression, then we will have just wasted that God-given opportunity to impact that person & their family for Jesus Christ! And that is completely unacceptable to me!

So, how comfortable do people feel in your church?


Halloween, Church, Trick-or-Treat Street, What’s the Deal???

Being that we have so many people coming to Eagle Pointe from all different church backgrounds & no church backgrounds – I get asked quite often around this time of year – “What is your’s & the church’s view of Halloween?”  This question comes up a lot especially since our church does a huge pumpkin patch, as well as, an event for families in our community called “Trick-or-Treat Street”. I always love this question because I never know what that person’s view is or how they will respond to my view.

So, here is my attempt at conveying mine/our view of this…

1) Yes – Halloween started out thousands of years ago as a Celtic celebration steeped in witchcraft – but that certainly is not what 99% of people equate it with today. For most, it is an excuse to dress up, be silly, & have fun.

2) Did you know? Christmas started as a Nordic winter solstice celebration steeped in witchcraft as well – but we Christians “hijacked” it and used it to celebrate the birth of Christ. (which most scholars believe was actually around April)

3) I propose we (Christians) hijack Halloween!

4) Many of you know that I am ALL about reaching people who are disconnected from God & helping change the way they think about church – so with that in mind…

5) There is no other day of the year that almost every one of my neighbors are coming to my front door!!! (think about it)  SO – I’m camping out on my front porch with a huge bowl of candy, thermos of coffee for the adults, & invite cards to my church!!! Let the hijacking begin!

6) As for our “Trick-or-Treat Street” – What a great opportunity to reach out to the families in our community, give them a great, fun, & safe family experience (they’re going trick-or-treating anyways), & let them know about what God is doing here at Eagle Pointe. We’ll have theme rooms set up, about 40 characters for kids & families to get their pictures taken with, & giving out A BUNCH of candy to the kids, & invites to church. For more info click here Trick-or-Treat Street & be sure to watch the promo (geared towards parents) video below. (BTW: Please donate bags of candy for this & if you can help with building theme rooms, promotion, etc email jonathan@eaglepointe.org)  Let the hijacking begin!

7) For me – Halloween is a great excuse for me to go pillage & plunder my neighborhood for candy with my kids!

BTW: Just wait until you see my costume I’ll be wearing at our “Trick-or-Treat Street” & Halloween night!

Oh yeah – 1 more thing – Trick or Treat?


Remembering Haiti & How It All Started…

This weekend my dear friends Pastor Ricardo, his wife Kendra, & 3 kids from Haiti are coming for a visit. They will be staying with us & I can’t wait to hang out with them & we’re taking their kids to the Georgia Aquarium! I will also be interviewing them as a part of our Warrior teaching series at Eagle Pointe church this Sunday 9:30 & 11:00AM.  PLEASE do not miss this Sunday & bring a bunch of people with you.

As we are getting ready for this weekend, (& I & our team prepares to head back to Haiti next weekend) my mind is being flooded with memories – great, tragic, amazing, horrific, God-sized memories of how our work in Haiti began & how our relationship with Ricardo & Kendra Francois began. It also dawned on me that many of you are not aware of a lot of this story. It is an amazing one that will not forget as long as I live!

Below is the video of when I came back from my first trip (we were on the ground 10 days after the earthquake which leveled Port au Prince). It was a very emotional time for me trying to convey to our church & world how bad things really were there – & how God was working in the midst of it all. Below are also 2 videos of our work we have been doing in Haiti.


Supplies & Donations Needed for Haiti Mission Trip – Updated

Our next Haiti Mission trip is coming up fast. I & our team from Eagle Pointe church, as well as a team from Mountain Lake church, will head back to Port Au Prince/Carrefour on Oct. 8 – 15. Our team will be providing basic medical care in areas where there is none. We are also providing feeding programs, working with an orphanage, & building a church & school. ***See VIDEO  at bottom of this post of some of the work we’re doing.

Below is a list of donations (supplies & money) which are desperately needed right away. Please help us spread the word to locate volunteers to go, donations, & supplies.

General Items:

 Tooth brushes
 Tooth paste
 Small toys, dolls, etc to giveaway to children (LOTS of small items are easier to pack in suitcases & can cover more kids – ‘happy meal size’ is ideal)
 Candy to giveaway to children (lg bags of smaller pieces)
 Multi-Vitamins (Children & Adult)
 Kids shoes (***Due to wet/muddy environment – “Crocs” style shoes are best)

Money – fundraised: (Items bought in Haiti)

 $3000 – Construction supplies for school & church
 $600 – local laborers to assist w/ construction
 $2500 – food for feeding programs (local church & while we are there)
 $1000 – to bless local church in their ministry

Medical Items: (We need LOTS of these medical supplies)

 Anti-fungal medicine (Lotrimin or other otc athletes foot meds)
 Permethrin 5%
 1 % hydrocortisone cream or other prescription steroid cream
 Antibiotics by prescription (Amoxicillin, Keflex, Bactrim, Ciprofloxacin, Augmentin, etc)
 Mebendazole by prescription
 Antibiotic eye drops – by prescription
 Visine and Visine allergy
 Albuterol inhaler by prescription
 Blood pressure medicines by prescription
 Diabetes oral medication by prescription

***PLEASE EMAIL ME A.S.A.P. IF YOU ARE ABLE TO HELP WITH ANY OF THESE NEEDS.    

 

 

 

 


Stuff God has been teaching me/reminding me of… (Part 2)

Here are a few of more things God has been teaching me & reminding me of lately…
  • “DO NOT SETTLE!” — EVER!
  • God often works through the “impossible” to accomplish the “unbelievable!”
  • The difficult we will do right now – the impossible may take a little while.
  • I need to live in faith… NOT in fear!
  • The key to continually taking my marriage to the next level is to stop seeking things from her – and to start going all out to serve her!
  • The world belongs to God – and not the stock market.
  • My responsibility as a leader is to set the next generation up for success.
  • So goes the leader – so goes the people.
  • I need to relax more & have fun more!!!
  • I can’t believe I get to do this (Lead Pastor of an awesome church) for a living!

Can’t wait to see what He says next!!!


Stuff God has been teaching me/reminding me of… (Part 1)

God is always speaking to us & trying to teach us new things – here are just a few of the things He has been teaching me & reminding me of lately…

  • No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived all that God has in store for those who love Him…” (1 Cor. 2:9) “You have no idea how HUGE I am & how HUGE my plans are!” We need to dream bigger dreams!
  • If God says to go after Moby Dick in a row boat  – BRING THE TARTAR SAUCE BABY!
  • Right now God is at work… doing things that I am COMPLETELY unaware of… but will reap the results of when He thinks I am ready.
  • Someone addicted to routine and ritual will never be a change agent in God’s church! Find one in the Bible – go ahead – try!
  • God doesn’t need me… I need Him!  Desperately!
  • I am NOT the source of one single blessing in my life – GOD IS!!!
  • Balance is a myth! Look at Jesus or anyone God used in the Bible – their lives were completely out of balance in God’s direction.
  • When you play around with sin… there are always consequences! ALWAYS!
  • If I can accomplish “HIS vision” without HIS help ——- then it isn’t “HIS vision!”
  • Passive husbands and fathers suck! (Sorry! Just being honest about it!)
  • He leads me step by step – NOT in three to five year plans! Long range planning is for those who try to keep God in a box.
  • He is Sovereign and is not surprised by anything!

Those are just a few of the many things God has been teaching me & reminding me of lately. I’ll share some more tomorrow… (stay tuned)


“MOMENTUM” – Breaking the 500 Barrier – Message

Here is what I shared with our church at our “Momentum” Tailgate Party kicking off our 2011 – 2012 ministry season. I am asking every person who calls Eagle Pointe their church home to please watch the video below a few times & really pray about what I share here.

As you’ll see in this video, our church WILL be pushing through the “500 Barrier” in this next season. The statistics tells us that 60% of all churches in the U.S. are made up of 100 people or less. 80% of all churches in the U.S. have 250 people or less. And only 6% of all churches have pushed through this barrier and have 500 people or more attending them. (Yes – only 6%)

Here at Eagle Pointe we are running about 420 – 450 people each weekend. In this talk we identify the things we need to do & work towards in order to push through this barrier & impact our community, area, & world for Jesus Christ. Again, please watch this video, pray about it, & let’s get after this thing!


How You Can Help Us Help Haiti

Our next Haiti Mission trip is coming up fast. We will head back to Port Au Prince/Carrefour on Oct. 8 – 15. Our team will be providing basic medical care in areas where there is none. We are also providing feeding programs, working with an orphanage, & building a church & school.

We need 1 more medical person for our October trip & we  need some construction & medical type people, as well as, general helpers to join us for the January trip. If you’re interested in joining our team please EMAIL ME right away.

Also – here is a list of projects we need monetary donations for, as well as, general supplies & medical supplies we need to round up - Haiti – Supplies Needed – Oct 2011. Please help us spread the word to locate volunteers to go, donations, & supplies.

Pray for our teams & the people we are helping in this earthquake ravaged region. Below are 2 videos of our last 2 mission trips… Pleasse watch & pray about how you might be able to help.


“Momentum” Tailgate Party – BE THERE!!!

This Sunday Aug. 28th @ 6PM we are having our “MOMENTUM Tailgate Party”!  Wear your favorite sports team gear, banners, etc – bring some good tailgate food (potluck – wings, BBQ, chili, whatever…) – and get ready to have some fun! We’ve got some BIG-TIME surprises in store for you all – that you will definitely not want to miss! Trust me!!!

In case you’re not familiar with Momentum’s – this is our bi-monthly meeting/party/event for everyone who volunteers/helps/serves somewhere at Eagle Pointe. (Also, those interested in possibly jumping in).

This is also a vehicle by which we can better communicate with our core, our stakeholders, those who make things happen here at Eagle Pointe. This is where we can have those family discussions about what we’re dreaming about, working towards, & what’s coming down the pipeline – the things we won’t dive into in our weekend worship experiences. So, PLEASE mark your calendar, clear your schedule & make Sunday @ 6PM & every “Momentum” a big-time priority & don’t miss them. ***BTW: We have some important things to share as we kick-off our 2011-2012 ministry season!!!

Strongly encourage everyone you know who is volunteering (or would like to) to not miss next Sunday evening & I can’t wait to see you there!!! (*Note: Childcare is provided)


Pizza with the Pastors – this Sunday

This coming Sunday Aug. 21st, right after 2nd service, is our next “Pizza with the Pastors”.

Are you new to Eagle Pointe Church?  Interested in finding out more about the church? Maybe wanting to get involved, but don’t know what your next step is?  Then join us for a brief overview of our mission, strategy, and environments to help you determine your best next step. Sunday Aug 21st immediately after 2nd service. Lunch & childcare provided.  If possible, please r.s.v.p. by emailing our Church Office so we can plan food & childcare.

If you’re new or newer to Eagle Pointe this is a great environment for you to get to know our pastors, learn more about Eagle Pointe, get your questions answered, and find out how you can get more involved. Childcare and pizza provided.

I would love to see you there!


Our Volunteer Army ROCKS!!!

I know I am a bit partial but I truly believe that God has blessed Eagle Pointe Church with, hands down, the greatest volunteers on the face of the planet! I have never seen, or heard of, God assembling so many talented, amazing, incredibly generous, and self-less people in one place before — and most of those attending Eagle Pointe are serving in ministry & allowing God to use them.

I am humbled & so proud to be leading so many people who just “get it”! — That it’s not about us! It’s not about what we want, what we’re comfortable with & what makes us happy — but rather it is ALL about Jesus & the community, area & world He has called us to reach for Him! Our mission of “Leading People to Love God, Love Others, & Serve the World” is happening more than ever!

First and foremost, this is because God is “getting loose” & doing His thing! Eagle Pointe’rs are getting available & allowing God to use them. People are driving a stake through the heart of what they want, are getting out of His way & passionately pursuing what God wants & what the world around us needs.

God has an amazing, mind-blowing fall season lined up for our church family. He is going to do 1 Corinthians 2:9 in our midst so long as WE don’t mess it up!

So my encouragement & challenge to our  amazing church family & world’s greatest volunteer army — keep having a heart that says “It’s not about us”, “God use me”, & “We will do ‘whatever it takes’ to do what God has called us to do!” I love our church & you all are amazing! Let’s team up with God & our church family – & be a part of & experience a God-sized, life-changing, eternity altering fall season!

BTW: Here is a VIDEO of me thanking our volunteers at our Momentum Volunteer Appreciation Hawaiian Luau… It’s rather funny & embarrassing  – but our volunteers are very much worth it…


McJesus – Would You Like To Super-Size That?

Okay – I don’t know who created this picture or why they did it – but I think it makes a very good point. In light of some of what I talked about on Sunday at Eagle Pointe – I felt that I needed to elaborate more on this idea…

Too many churches market the Christian faith as though it’s a Happy Meal with a toy inside & too many Christians act as though their faith in Jesus is like a Happy Meal.

Many of you know that I am not a big fan of Christian TV to say the least (Okay – there’s good & NOT so good stuff on there). The whole health/wealth –  proclaim it & claim it – “stuff” that many are peddling makes me sick. As though God is some slot machine that you just drop in your prayer (and just so happen to send them money) then God is going to drop a jackpot in your lap. They say to just follow Jesus and God will make you healthy, wealthy, & wise – and if you don’t have those things it’s because your faith isn’t big enough or there must be sin in your life.

Even those churches/Christians who aren’t in that vein “market” Jesus similarly whether they realize it or not. “Just pray this prayer & Jesus is going to make your life so wonderful.” REALLY??? Tell that to the apostle Paul who was beaten many times, pelted with rocks, shipwrecked, starved, chained, imprisoned, etc.

Tell that to Jesus’ disciples who, with the exception of one, suffered great persecution and died horrible deaths because they followed Jesus. In fact, most every person in the Bible who God used in any significant kind of way had to face A LOT of challenges and difficulties.

So evidently, following Jesus & doing what God wants you to do – does not mean that life will always be wonderful & problem free. In fact, just the opposite is true! Jesus himself said – “In this life you will have trouble!” Accept that fact! Deal with it! Prepare for it!

In fact, I often tell people that this following Jesus stuff ain’t for the faint of heart! The closer you get to God’s will; the closer you get to doing what God wants you to do; BATTEN DOWN THE HATCHES BABY!!! The storm is coming! There’s a spiritual enemy who is going to throw everything he’s got at you, trying to get you off of God’s course for your life. Besides that there’s the “that’s just life” challenges. I really believe that life is just one big series of problem solving. It is God’s way of stretching & growing us into the people He desires us to be.

But here’s the super-cool – happy meal prize on steroids… When you have a relationship with Jesus (real Christianity) He helps you through all the crud of this life – you don’t have to try & handle it all on your own. Jesus gives you the power, courage, peace, strength, stamina, etc to be able to fight the good fight & finish the race. That’s why the apostle Paul wrote in 2 Cor. 4:8-9 – “We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; 9persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed.”

Paul understood better than most, that “In this life you WILL have trouble!” (especially if you’re following Jesus) But He also understood better than most, that “I can do (& handle/deal with/overcome) ALL things through Christ who strengthens me.”

Let’s be careful of what we’re “peddling” – the Good News is MORE than good enough without us trying to put whip cream, sprinkles, & a cherry on top – or an extra large side of fries.


Next 3 Teaching Series’ at Eagle Pointe

We have an amazing fall line up of God-sized, life-changing teaching series’ planned here at Eagle Pointe Church.  I encourage you to not miss any of it & to get busy inviting your friends, neighbors, co-workers, family members & anyone else God brings across your path.

Each of these series’ are designed to help & challenge us to grow in our relationship with Jesus – but in typical Eagle Pointe fashion – we’re doing them in fun, creative ways to help you to bring your friends & our community.

Below are promo videos for our next 3 teaching series’. This 1st series “Accelerate” kicks off this Sunday! Put on your racing gear, be here & invite everyone you know.


ACCELERATE Series Kicks Off This Weekend

Too often we get all fired up about our spiritual lives – we start a relationship with Jesus – we’re coming to church regularly – & we feel so good about it. For the first few months or years – we’re cruising along that race track – we’re banking & nailing those tight turns – we’re opening it up & going full throttle baby. Life is good & we feel really good about ourselves & our spiritual lives – but then something begins to happen… The engine begins to sputter a bit – we start losing horsepower – & we can’t seem to diagnose the problem.

Want to rev up & accelerate your spiritual growth & relationship with God? Want to open it up & go full throttle in the direction God wants for your life? Then join us Sundays @ 9:30 & 11:00AM at Eagle Pointe Church! Teaching series kicks off this Sunday August 7th.

We’re going to be teaching some big-time, life-changing spiritual truths in a very fun way. Put on your racing gear, invite all of your friends, & don’t miss any of this series!

Check out these 2 promo videos for our Accelerate series…


6 Things I LOVED About Faith In Action Sunday 2011

1) Seeing God use 100′s of ordinary people, like us, to help so many people & point so many hearts towards Jesus! Through our helping people in real, practical, & tangible ways the door was opened to begin helping people spiritually. The impact of us serving our community was HUGE!

2) Seeing so many of the people we served who were moved to tears, seeing a small army of volunteers show up to help them out. I had one lady, almost in shock, say to me that she didn’t think that there were still people in our society who genuinely cared for & helped others.

3) The amazing hearts & generosity of our Eagle Pointe family. So many gave selflessly of their time, talents, & energy in order to help & serve others. At several projects, people found additional work they wanted to do & took off to Home Depot & bought what was needed. Ex) The Flowering Branch Children’s home got a bunch of extra flowers, in front of the center, we didn’t originally plan on.

***BTW: I hope that generosity continues this Sunday during our offering time. We need to make up not only for all the supplies we bought for Faith in Action, but also for us not having church/offerings this past Sunday. We  still have lots of bills, ministries, & mission work to pay for ;-)

4) The amazing attitude of Eagle Pointe’rs. Eagle Pointe’rs showed up to WORK baby! Hot – humid — it didn’t matter! When things didn’t work right, or go exactly as planned – there was no griping & complaining – people just rolled with it & found another way to get the job done!

5) Seeing so many kids participating in F.I.A. Sunday! I loved seeing so many kids & teens helping out at all our different locations & seeing them catch a passion for serving others at such young ages!

6) The insatiable passion Eagle Pointe’rs have for Loving God, Loving Others, & Serving the World! I had so many people asking how soon can we do this again??? I love that so much of what our church is & does happens outside the walls of our church bldg. BTW: We will have several opportunities coming up this Fall to do more of these types of projects. Stay tuned for more details.

I could easily do a “Top 100 Things” list – but I’ll spare you from that. Those are probably the Big 6 for me personally. I would love to hear from you… What Did You Love About F.I.A. Sunday???? (Comment below)

I have to say that our Faith in Action Sunday was a HUGE success! Thank you to all of you who participated – we couldn’t have begun to pull this off with out you! And of course – GO GOD!!!

* NOTE: We will show our “F.I.A. Sunday Day of” video this Sunday July 31st as part of our “Faith In Action Celebration”.. We will share stories & take communion/Lord’s Supper together this Sunday 9:30 & 11:00AM. I hope to see you there!


Faith In Action Sunday – Heart & Attitude

If you missed any of the important Faith In Action Updates with all the info you need to know about this weekend’s day of serving our community, here are the links to them F.I.A. Update #1  &  F.I.A. Update #2 – be sure to read them.

Today I want to briefly share a few things regarding the heart & attitude we all need to have when it comes to Faith in Action Sunday – or anytime we’re helping & serving our community & world in Jesus’ name. The reality is that this should be a lifestyle for all of us, not just a couple times a year kind of deal.

1) It’s not about me! I think most Eagle Pointe’rs get this idea. (This one of the many things I love about our church family). It’s not about my goals, my agenda, my feeling good, what I want, how I like & want things to be… It’s not about people seeing how wonderful & spiritual I am. It’s not about me! It is ALL about Jesus & those we are serving in His name!

2) Meeting physical needs opens the door to meeting spiritual needs. This is the model Jesus gave us & this is the model we follow with all of our local & global mission work. Jesus met real, practical, tangible needs & then had the opportunity to address their true #1 need. He healed the sick, made the lame walk, etc & THEN shared with them about the Kingdom of Heaven. He knew what he was doing! So long as people are starving, homeless, their kids are sick & dying, etc – they do not care about their spiritual needs. Meet those physical needs & then you have a platform to address the spiritual needs. As I often say, people do not care how much I know – until they first know how much I care.

3) Some things will NOT go as planned. Sorry – but that’s just the reality of mobilizing a few hundred volunteers & having them working at 6 different locations on the same day. As much as we plan, organize & strategize – some balls will get dropped, some details will be missed, some problems will arise & some things will not go exactly as we had thought & hoped for. So, WHEN that happens – just roll with it & help us make the best of it. Jump in, take some initiative & help your project coordinator quickly solve & move forward past the problem. BTW: That’s what leaders do – they don’t complain about problems – they solve them! Again, It’s not about me!

4) We “serve the world” in order to point people to Jesus. This is the bottom line. This is what it ALL boils down to. My challenge to you is that AFTER you have served & helped – AFTER you have shown that you truly care – do not be afraid to share with those people why you are doing this… “I love Jesus, Jesus says we are to love & help one another, & we are here demonstrating the love He has for you.” Ask people if you can pray for them. Let God work in their heart & give you an opportunity to point them toward Jesus.

5) Invite your friends to join you. This Faith in Action Sunday is a HUGE God-sized opportunity for you to invite your friends, neighbors, co-workers, etc to join you. Listen – even those who could give a rip about Jesus or church – like the idea of helping kids, single moms, homeless, etc. The idea of community service resonates with them – that’s the way God wired all of us up. Joining you this Sunday will give them the opportunity to meet & work alongside other Eagle Pointe’rs & see that these “church people” aren’t that weird ;-) . (At least we’re weird in a good way – right?) This may be the very thing God uses to bring down their defensive wall enough that they would be willing to give church a try. So, get busy inviting people to join you for Faith in Action Sunday!

6) Our generosity involves more than just our time & effort.   Due to us not having church services this Sunday – we will also not have any tithes & offerings  coming in. However, we still have bills, ministries & missions to pay for & supplies for F.I.A. Sunday to provide. Please help us make up for it by going above & beyond the following Sunday July 31st!  I also encourage you to take advantage of our Online Giving.

I am SO pumped & cannot stinkin’ wait for this Faith in Action Sunday! God is going to use all of us to make a difference in our community. God is going to change lives – the lives of those that we serve as well as our own lives.

I’ll be making the rounds to all of our location & I hope to see you out there this Sunday.

Oh yeah! BTW: We will have our New & Improved Faith in Action t-shirts at each location. If you ordered them – yours will be waiting for you. Arrive a little bit early so you have time to change & wear it while you’re serving.


F.I.A. Sunday 2011 – Project Details & Info Sheets

Our Faith In Action Sunday is coming up this weekend. This Sunday we will cancel our Sunday worship services & mobilize a small army to head out into our community to serve in real, practical, & tangible ways. This is the model Jesus gave us – meet people’s physical needs & then the door is thrown wide open to begin meeting their spiritual needs.

I hope you are already signed up for a Faith in Action location. If not, you can email our church office  A.S.A.P.

Below is a list of our Faith in Action locations, as well as, a link you can click for a “project info sheet” for each location. These sheets explain the work being done, what you can bring, directions of where to go, etc. Please be sure to get the info for your location.

We ask that you arrive at your location no later than 8:45AM (you won’t hurt our feelings if you’re early). At 8:45AM each location will have a group meeting & prayer time before starting to work.

Flowering Branch Children’s Home FIA – Location Info 07-24-11 – Flowering Branch (*NOTE: This project is full to new sign-ups, please choose another project)

The Extension - FIA – Location Info 07-24-11 – Extension

Simple Needs - FIA – Location Info 07-24-11 – Simple Needs

House Angels/Single Mom – FIA – Location Info 07-24-11 – House Angels (*NOTE: This project is full to new sign-ups, please choose another project)

Eagle Pointe Landscaping, etc – FIA – Location Info 07-24-11 – Eagle Pointe

Childcare @ Eagle Pointe - FIA – Location Info 07-24-11 – Childcare  (*NOTE: This project is full to new sign-ups, please choose another project)

***FYI: We will offer childcare for Babies through 3rd grade age children starting at 8:00AM that day – & all children must be picked up by 1:30PM.

More info on the scope of work at each location can be found by checking out the video below…  Also, if you missed Monday’s post with other important info you need to know about Faith In Action Sunday you can read it HERE.

I look forward to seeing all of you on Faith In Action Sunday – it is going to be an amazing day of God working in so many lives!


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