Here it is... the low-down from last week's gathering (5:30 for food; 6:45 for worship & Word) (yes, I know... the next event is today / tonight):
- We began running 101, 201, 301, 401 this week... at 5:45 p.m., next door to The Dream Center at Christ Health Center. That four week set of classes runs every month, always on Thursdays... and teaches Basic Christianity (101), how to read the Bible & pray (201), ways to discovery your talents and gifts (301), then releases you into your ministry (401). 23 attended the first run of it!
- 8 more people saved! (That brings the total to 141 since we began mid-way through January.). That's 141 people whose eternity is different now!
- This was week 19 of the event, by the way- including a week we changed-up for the tornado. It's amazing to see what the Lord is doing through everyone in such a short time.
- Someone had the bright idea of serving around the front side of the building, rather than the side (where we had been)... now, we're running everyone to the front door instead of the garage bay doors.
- I loved it! It kept the worship area (fire truck garage) cool, and it made that atmosphere different in some way.
- It was great to see Pastor Peeples in the house- he's a Pastor and friend from the Woodlawn area, who is a great supporter & ministry partner through Prayer Force United.
- We're talking about Simple Christianity right now... simply making some practical applications to what it means to follow Jesus. Tonight we discussed being the absolute best you can be in the place God has you right now. Instead of waiting for "the next big thing," the opportunity around the corner, or the dream gig... do everything you can do serve strong now.
- It's basic; it's easier said than done; but it's revolutionary.
- Fun fact: I didn't give an invitation. I prayed for everyone in line with the teaching from tonight. Jason Cooke came up, as planned, to take the next leg of the service, gave an invitation... the 8 people were saved. Incredible how God uses teams to make things happen.
- The food was exquisite: half-chickens (200 of them), fresh corn on the cob, and gourmet potato-salad (chef works at Bottega's in Southside). Then, for desert, Bud's Best Cookies. I think Bud should pay us to advertise or something- for pairing his cookies with such great food. That, or just send more free cookies : )
- Pastor Short-Tee was in the house tonight- and served up an opening number from his previous CD. The Track? "Thrown the Devil Fits!"
- I like it when we open up with fun songs- whether it's a rap song by Short-Tee, a Gospel Choir number led by Jonette, or kids dancing and rhythmically hitting trash cans (that's coming in a few weeks!)
- By the way, Short-Tee was leading an outdoor church service at Park Place with us last year... When it was time to launch again for the Spring, we prayerfully decided that it would be best to pray for a team that would help carry this event off each week. That team has started to emerge and will begin meeting again in the next few weeks, so that the event doesn't land on a few people- but on many. It's been incredible to see the Lord bring this team together, in His timing. It appears that the Hip Hop Church in the Park will resume sometime around August. Here's a video link to 42 News, who covered the bi-weekly outdoor church last Spring.
Posted by: |