Not even sure why I'm posting this early- especially after the rambunctiously busy day, make that week, that we've had... should be resting right now instead of producing anything. Brain seems a bit fried (think, the old commercial with the egg being tossed in the frying pan: "This is your brain; this is your brain on drugs..." Re-arrange to: "This is your brain; this is your brain after a crazy week of ministry... Any questions?"
* Next date for A Day... is going to be on Saturday, 06/06. We'll be focusing on the
Marconi Park itself- landscaping, painting, repairing old bleachers, refurbishing/re-habing the two pavilions that are there... As such, we will focus all of the work from 8am until 2pm and make a huge 6 hour effort in which it will all be done.
* This week was a hectically busy week- we ran from the day on Saturday, April 4th (which was incredible, by the way- lots of people working and loving and serving the city) straight through until Easter, 4/12. We'll post the video of today's events later on. All week people visited and prayed with and met people in Park Place, inviting them back to the Sunday event- and they came!
* We decided, prayerfully, to do something that was part of a vision we received about a year ago. We never moved on it, because we started the small freight train known as
The Village, which occupied much time and attention until more staff could be brought onboard. Now, with a solid staff in place, we're able to look at other things, like Park Place. Anyway, about 18 months ago, I wondered what it would be like to actually NOT worship in our building one Sunday, on Easter... and move everything outside... to throw a party for people who would not come to church... to go and be the church to them... and to see what might happen. Today, we did that.
* This meant that many of our families worshiped at home, as a family. I've heard stories of dad's teaching their kids the Resurrection story using play-doh... and of others who led their family in singing... of others who prayed...
* And we converged at the Park around noon (set-up team- props to them- jammed from 9am on)... we prayed together, again, and welcomed the neighborhood.
* When all the eggs fell from the sky, it was like a giant pinata had burst. And it kept bursting... and eggs kept coming. Catch the video later.
* I've heard stories of how several of our church people led others to faith in Jesus... on the bleachers of the park!
* Sure, there were some snags throughout the day... and they were frustrating. Sound equipment arrived (very) late, we ran out of snow cones and such (even though we planned for a great many of them), some things worked well... and some things didn't.
* Spur of the moment, Keith Best was recruited (by myself and Pastor Rodney) to share the Gospel with the crowd. He did an incredible job; it was great to see him back up on the stage. FYI, be praying for him this week as he prepares to make a move back into full time ministry. Great story behind it, that I'm sure he'll tell to all of you soon.
* I do want to review this event later... and see what we did well (Christy Parvin did a fabulous job organizing this thing); and see what we can improve on (everything that fell apart was actually out of her jurisdiction, I assure you). We'll keep praying and looking and planning and see what we can do better. And, we'll continue to love and serve these people.
* Because of the crash-course of the last 8 days, we now have great relationships with the YMCA, Jones Valley Urban Farms, the local neighborhood association in Park Place, and even the school (Principal Sullivan from Philips Academy was there to get dunked in the tank today! FYI, we're going to help him raise uniforms for many of his students this August!).
* Pray this week for the next steps in Park Place... we don't want this to be a string of events... we want to love and serve this area of the city.
* Oh... and it does appear that GED classes are ready to open up (again!) in Southtown. Be praying for continued open doors in that area.
* Watched the
Passion of the Christ last night with my kids and my wife. The oldest three- Emma (8), Ivey (6), & Noah (4.5) all watched and asked incredible questions. Was a great experience...
* This was my first Easter with
Twitter. Was a great thing to see all of these tweets going back and forth from one person to the crowd, and back around with messages like, "He is risen, indeed!" And, "All my sins are gone, my shame removed... Christ died for me!" May we never forget; may we always remember!
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