Launch Sunday Aftermath

I have been meaning to blog all week regarding our Launch Sunday this past week, but it has been crazy insane - in a great way! I would like to highlight some stuff on Sunday and what has been happening since then.

• Launch Day Attendance - 300 (+/- 2.5) - about 75 of the 300 were from out of town or have a church but came to see Chris Sligh. 200-225 were people in our area that are legitimate prospects.

• Launch Day Decisions - 5 new believers! This is why we do what we do!

• We had an awesome volunteer team in place! There were 14 people that came to help us from our sending church (Marcus Pointe Baptist, Pensacola, FL). We also had several local churches donate volunteers to help in different capacities. Thanks to all who helped!

• We had the most exciting environment set-up in the lobby where we served coffee and donuts. A few weeks ago, I was eating at sandwich place and met a man that was playing acoustic guitar and singing some classic songs in the corner. I invited him to play for our lobby on Launch Sunday. He came and was a instant hit!

• We gave out about 100 books to first time guests (1 per family). The book was "How Good is Good Enough" by Andy Stanley. We had also put a personal handwritten letter in each book.

• Met so many people as they left. Had some awesome conversations - "looking for a new church home", "we are coming back next week", "we have been catholics all of our lives and we're tired of all the rules, so we plan to make Lakepointe our new home", etc.

• Great week of follow-ups. On Monday, we emailed all of our first time guests with an optional survey to be filled out. Also on Monday, we mailed handwritten "thank you" notes with a $5 coffee card to each 1st time guest families. On Tuesday-Friday, we made personal phone calls to every family to thank them for coming and to see if they had any questions about our church - we still have more calls to make but hope to contact everyone by Easter.

• We collected about 19 great responses from the survey. We asked 4 questions: 1. What did you notice first?, 2. What did you like best?, 3. What was your overall impression? and 4. How can we pray for you?. I'll try to post some of the top responses next week.

• The buzz about Lakepointe is still going on. Today, we had a team of people involved in a community outreach at the Macomb Rec Center inviting people to our Easter service. Many people mentioned that they knew about our church!

• Yesterday, we mailed out 20,000 mailers promoting Easter. We are praying for a great turnout on one of the biggest day in the year!

• On a side note, last Sunday was Nate (my son) birthday! He turned 3. This evening, we had a party for him and had a great time at my parent's house.

Please continue to pray for us as we establish Lakepointe in our community! We are off to a great start - to our God be the glory as we continue to make His NAME more famous in Macomb, MI! Time for bed - we get to do this again tomorrow AM!

35th Birthday Reflections

It's amazing how fast life flies by and here I am - 35 years old! God has bless me in so many ways:

• I have a wonderful family - my wife of almost 8 years, Karen; and my 2 1/2 year old son, Nathan.
• Blessed with great parents, grandparents, brothers and their wives, aunt, uncles, nieces, nephew, cousins. Also, my wife has great parents and family.
• For providing us financially. I have some great friends who are helping us financially for the past 6 months and for the next 6 months plus as we launch Lakepointe Church. Again, thank you!
• Couldn't launch Lakepointe without the planting team - the Nipper's, the Sabo's, and the one and only, Ben Ayers! They have sacrificed in so many ways to be a part of the dream and vision of Lakepointe Church.
• I'm thankful for my health. This is one area where I sometime take it for granted. Need to be more discipline in this area.
• Blessed to have made so many new friends since moving to Detroit. I really missed all of my friends in Pensacola and at Marcus Pointe Baptist Church. The people at MPBC are some of the finest anywhere. They are always on my mind and in my prayers. They are about to take some giant steps of faith in this next year and can't wait to hear how God will use them!
• Most of all, I'm thankful for God and his gift of grace and mercy in my life. On October 14, 1982, I gave my life to Jesus Christ and He has been so good and so faithful, despite my screw-ups!

My birthday wish for you is that you'll take the time to reflect on God's blessing in your life. Sometime, we get so caught up in the moment that we take what we have for granted. If you're a believer in Jesus Christ, remember this: we are always doing better than what we deserve! If you're not a follower of Jesus Christ: you're missing out!

It's 20 minutes into my birthday and I have a lot going on today. Need to get my birthday sleep! Good night!

BY THE WAY!

Will you consider making an end of the year donation to Lakepointe Church? We are a non-profit organization and all gifts can be deducted from your 2009 taxes.

You can make a direct donation right now by simply clicking on the "Chip In" button below. It will direct you to a secure paypal website.

If you would rather send a check by mail, simply write the check to "Lakepointe Church" and mail it to:

Blue Water Association of SBC
Attn: Lakepointe Church
PO Box 1147
Mt. Clemens, MI 48046

Atlanta Trip Recap

I know! It seems like I'm doing a lot of traveling lately! Honestly, it can be very exhausting at times. However, I love going to new places and seeing old friends as well as new friends. This past week was no exception. I was excited to take my family with me on the journey as well.

On Thursday, I met with my church planting network that I'm a part of at Avalon Church and Pastor Ritchie Miller. I believe that this church is about to EXPLODE! I'm humbled to be a part of this amazing group and I'm learning so much.

On Thursday night, my family and I met up with David Huey at Bahama Breeze. I was a virgin customer to Bahama Breeze, and I can see myself as an addict to Bahama Breeze! It was delicious. David Huey is one of my top supporters and believers of the Lakepointe Church dream. Thanks, David, for your faith and belief in us. It means more than you realize!

On Friday and Saturday, we decided to have some family time. In the midst of the all the chaos and transition this year, we needed a little bit of a vacation. We explored the Atlanta Aquarium - we were in awe, including Nate. I think Nate named every fish "Nemo" (he loves Nemo and watches that movie everyday - seriously). It was a great time for me and Karen to watch Nate interacts with the world around him. (BTW, he's 29 months old).

We also spend some time with my uncle and his faithful girlfriend, along with my cousin, Johnna (she's a mess). We hung out at the Mall of Georgia in Buford. On Saturday night, we enjoyed a relaxing evening at Stone Mountain for the Laser Show.

On Sunday, I spoke at my good friend's church at Gracepointe Church. Andy Anderson is the pastor and used to work with me at Marcus Pointe in Pensacola, FL. This church honored me and my family and gave a generous love offering for Lakepointe Church. We are excited about the partnership that we have with this young church.

For the next two weeks, I will be staying around Detroit until we head back to Gulf Shores, AL (30 miles from Pensacola). Please continue to pray for us!

SEVEN22 Farewell Service

I know that this post is long past due, but I want to take a minute to rehash a special evening before we left Pensacola, FL. On Tuesday, June 16, our SEVEN22 ministry at Marcus Pointe had a night in which they honored me and Karen. We had no clue what was about to transpire but it was an awesome night, and it's one that we will never forget.

• It began with great worship from my favorite band - our very own SEVEN22 Band (BTW, you can listen and download to their music on myspace).
• Live and video testimonies from various people throughout our 10 years in ministry. Sometimes, you forget the stories of life-change that happens throughout your ministry. It was great to rehash those great memories.
• Special letters were read by both of our parents.
• At the end of service, they blindfolded me and Karen, and walk us outside to give us a much needed vehicle, a Ford Explorer! We were both shocked and thankful for so many that sacrifice what they had to give us this wonderful gift.

I hope that I'm not missing anything else, but I want to thank SEVEN22 and Marcus Pointe Baptist Church for 10 great years of ministry. My time on staff was priceless and the memories will forever remain in our hearts. We have made so many friends and are thankful for each and everyone of you. We love you all very much. (By the way, we have to stop saying "you all" in Michigan - we get some strange looks!)

Hello from Detroit!

Man, it has been awhile since I've last posted! Life has been crazy since last month. June was pretty hectic as I finished my last few weeks at Marcus Pointe and then packing our home to move on the 4th of July weekend to get ready to launch Lakepointe Church this October.

Since we have arrived in Detroit, we have been getting established in our community in Eastpointe, MI. We are staying at a home that the local association owns at no cost! At the same time, I have been able to set up an office at Lakeside Community Church - again, at no cost! I have also been looking for possible sites to begin Lakepointe Church in the Clinton Township area. So far, I have scouted about a dozen sites and we have narrowed to list to about 3 different places. Within the next two weeks, I will be meeting with key people for each possible sites to find out about availability and funding. Please pray that God will open the right doors for us.

In August, I will be traveling to meet with pastors and churches for more financial support for the church. At the same time, I'm still raising financial support from "friends and families" to help supplement our monthly income. So far, we have raised about 40% of our goal from families/friends. I will post soon about how you can be involved.

I have more that I want to share with you and about all that God has been doing in our lives, especially in the past 2 months. Stay tuned to what's God is doing in the next chapter of our lives!

Commissioning Service Recap

This past Sunday, our church family honored Karen, Nate and I for 10 years of ministry at Marcus Pointe. At the same time, our church took the time to pray for our church plant Lakepointe Church and the church planting team. This was a very powerful service.

• The service began with the choir singing "Revelation Song", one of my favorite worship song.

• Our very own SEVEN22 Band led the worship. It was an amazing time of worship. We sang for 45 minutes.

• Pastor Godfrey shared a few minutes about my 10 years of ministry. Great memories and lots of fun. I'm honored to have shared with him over the years.

• I took about 10-15 minutes to share my vision and strategy plan for the church launch.

• Ron Bishop of SCORE International took about 5-10 minutes to give us a charge about vision. He spoke from Nehemiah and the building of the wall. Best 5-10 minute talk about vision that I've ever heard. Thank you, Ron, for being a part of this special evening.

• Pastor gave a final charge to the Lakepointe Church team which last about 10-15 minutes. Four great thoughts from him: 1. Prioritize your life in the beginning, 2. Preach the Word, 3. Keep the Main thing the Main thing, 4. Keep on Dreaming.

• A beautiful Bible was presented from the church.

• $25,000 is committed from Marcus Pointe to Lakepointe over the next 2 years.

• A prayer of blessing and commission over the Lakepointe Church team.

• A cake reception was held after the service.

We were so excited to see a number of friends that we haven't seen in years. Thank you for everyone's prayer and support as we are about to move to Detroit.

To hear the audio of this service, click here.

Commissioning Service - June 14

Make plans to join us at Marcus Pointe Baptist Church on Sunday night, June 14 at 6:00 PM. As the sending church for Lakepointe Church, Marcus Pointe will be honoring and praying for the Lakepointe team on this special evening. If you have any questions, feel free to let me know. I hope you can attend this special evening!

SEVEN22 Series - Dangerous

Tonight, we are starting a brand new series called "Dangerous." I can't wait to share God's word and how he has been speaking to me these past 2-3 weeks. We have been taught that the church should be a "safe" place [which I agree] so that we can teach a "safe" message [which I disagree]. Too many churches don't want to be "offensive", and when churches have this mentality then Hell gets more crowded.

Make it a priority to be here tonight at SEVEN22 and invite someone to be your guest!

This Past Week Reflections

We had a pretty busy week! Here's the highlights:

• Three Easter services on Saturday and Sunday. 2,775 in attendance and between 40-50 decisions for Christ. Glory to God!
  

• Tuesday night, Eric Hovind and I preached our final message in our series "Decisions, Decisions" at SEVEN22. We talked about the value of accountability and getting the right advice from the right kind of people (usually, we get the wrong advice from the wrong people).

• On Wednesday, I kicked off a 7 weeks seminar on "Discovering and Working Your Strength" with the staff at Creation Science Evangelism.

• Thursday morning, I flew to Atlanta to spend a day at Avalon Church with my monthly coaching network with about 12 others pastors. Discuss Easter, developing a team, and small groups mechanics. I was able to fly back home that evening.

• On Friday, I spend my day getting prepared for the message that I'm bringing to my church on Sunday morning. Pastor Godfrey is in a series "Conversations with God" and I'm bringing in the 4th lesson entitled "God and Doubting Thomas Talk." I can't wait to deliver this message.

On Monday, Karen and I will be traveling to Orlando, FL for the Exponential Conference. This is THE conference to attend for church planters. I will be limited in my blogging next week, but will keep you posted through twitter. Click here to follow me. Have a great weekend!

New SEVEN22 Series Kicked Off Tonight

Tonight, I started a new series at our weekly SEVEN22 young adults' service called "Decisions, Decisions" - how to make great decisions instead of making decisions that we regret!

Tonight was also monumental because I did something that I've never done before - to share the stage with another speaker. About 3 months ago, I called my good friend, Eric Hovind of the Creation Science Evangelism ministry, and threw the idea to him. In my good fortune, he accepted the challenge, and we did our first message tonight. Two different personalities - I'm the focus one, and I think Eric has ADD! Amazingly, I believe God pulled us together and help us to present a simple message.

Next Tuesday night, someone will have a chance to win $1,000! Will someone win it? We'll see, but join us next Tuesday night at SEVEN22 at Marcus Pointe at 7:22 PM!

"Feed the Hungry" Sunday

Sunday, March 15, our church is concentrating on a day call "Feed the Hungry" where we focus on the "hungry" in Pensacola. Each week, we feed about 50-60 families a week through our Food Pantry, and the number is increasing each month. In Escambia county, there are about 4,000 families who go hungry on a daily basis.

We are challenging our people to bring a guest and 2 items to donate to our Food Pantry ministry. After the service, we plan to serve BBQ to about 2,000 people. If you are in the area, join us at 9:30 or 11:00 at Marcus Pointe Baptist Church.