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Going Up North

I spent yesterday afternoon with our Church Planting Network.  It's a 5 church collaborative where we're partnering together to start new like-minded churches in Michigan.  The first one will be launching this next spring in Boyne City.  We've participated together in drawing up the guidelines, funding, and assessing and coaching potential church leaders.  The first guy to lead out is Jaime Woodall in Boyne City.  He's a great guy, who has a big heart for those who are disconnected from God.  His main coach is Norm Byers up at Genesis Church in Petosky. 

I'm excited about our partnership and what it will mean long-term here in Michigan.  I know for many of you - you don't get to see all that is behind the scenes at The Journey.  But, I wanted you to know what's happening here - as it's BIG.  And, if you know people who are disconnected from church and Jesus and they live in the Kalamazoo/Portage/Paw Paw area, in the Sawyer area, in Petosky, or in Boyne City - let me know and we can hook you up with some great churches.

By the way - one of the ways we're working together is that we'll be sending $5,000 to the Boyne City team to help them get started.  Each of our 5 churches will be doing that.  We don't have an extra $5,000 sitting around, burning a hole in our pocket, but we're going to be generous and bless someone else.  God's the blessor, we're the blessed, to be a blessing.

More to come on some of the partnerships we're making and how we're planning to be generous as a church.

6 years! (and my favorite quote from last night)

This weekend we celebrate our 6th anniversary as a church!  It's been a wild ride - filled with twists and turns.  We've met in a conference and banquet center, a movie theater, and our own rented space, plus a high school for 3 months during renovations.  We've went from 1 service to 2 to 3 to 2 to . . . We've begun partnerships in Kenya and Vegas.  We've seen our formerly unchurched population GROW to 60%.  We've seen lots of healing in marriages, and relationships, and dozens and dozens and dozens of people begin a relationship with Jesus and get baptized.  We've added a couple great staff members.  We've taken new initiatives.  We've tried new things.  Some have worked and some haven't.  And we've done probably 100 stupid videos.  It's been a great 6 years, but there is still so much more ahead!!  I can't wait to see what God brings our way in the years ahead.

This Sunday we're celebrating with a mini-party, baptisms, some cool videos, and a brand new series.  Should be fun.

Okay, here's my favorite quote from Must-see-tv last night:  "I want you to play the role of my father", "I don't want to be your father!", "Good, you already know your lines".  A little sad, but really funny.  By the way, that's fromt the new show "Community".

What Happens in Vegas . . .

What happens in Vegas . . . can change eternity!  At The Journey we've partnered with our friend Vince Antonucci as he gets ready to launch Verve Church, on the Vegas Strip.  Vince was at The Journey last May to speak and to share more of what was going to happen in Vegas.  Well, they're getting closer to launching and they have an incredible opportunity to lease some space full time, but they need some help.  We're committing as a church to help (we agreed unanimously at our last Lead Team meeting), but you can participate individually as well.  As a matter of fact, Vince is looking for 500 people to partner with them.  You can read more about what's happening here!  So, check it out and see how God might want you to participate.

By the way, we're taking a team out to Vegas in February, right before their official launch, to help.  So, if you want to go, you need to act NOW.  Contact Matt, or see the big Elvis and Dice display at The Journey to pick up more information about the trip. 

Jason's story

This past Sunday we shared a little of Jason's story.  If you weren't there, you might want to take 10 minutes and watch it.  It's amazing what God has done in Jason's life and you only get to see a glimpse of it here, but it's well worth the watch.

By the way, this week, we'll hear a little of Nancy's story - it will make you sad, mad, and rejoice all within the same story.

P.S.  Okay - one last thought . . . are you ready for some football?!!  It starts tonight!  And my fantasy football team is going to kick tail!!  That's right, I said it. Everyone else is going down.

Difference-making

So much of our world is looking for hope.  They are looking for something to believe in.  We are not a church that is just about works (what we do), but we are a church that is all about relationship with Jesus.

That relationship with Jesus, though, should affect what we do.  And it is, and I'm proud.  Over the last months our teens have given an extreme yard makeover to a woman in need, 17 Journeyers traveled to Kenya to work and see first-hand our partnership with the House of Hope Home.  We've given money and food away to the unemployed.  Numerous Journeyers have participated in serving at the food trucks around town.  We've had a couple of days of serving at a Habitat for Humanity Home.  We've collected personal care items for Love, Inc.  We've finalized details on our Vegas mission trip with Vince Antonucci.

This week, I've heard about a number of Journeyers checking in and serving one another and others in the aftermath of the storm that's done so much damage in the Fruitport area!  Way to go guys.  That's not only doing what we should be doing, but it's also a picture of Jesus to those around us.

This week, I also got an email about the food boxes and gift cards we gave out to people (last Christmas?).  We gave away some food and then tried to pack as many gift cards as we could in the box as well.  Here's an excerpt:

"That’s when she told me the story that I emailed you about her husband with no job and having her Mother son and daughter  with two children and one more on the way to support and looking at foreclosure.  I gave her the gift basket on Christmas Eve day she was shocked because she had no clue I knew her dilemma.  We were in the kitchen and all the ladies there cried and were very happy for her.  Today I inquired with Bev how it was going with her because she was not there and she told me this gift was very  instrumental in them not losing there house.  A house that was her husband’s home he grew up in.  Also that her husband has found part time work and things are looking up.I just love that." 

Let's keep making a difference!  If you know of any more stories of Journey difference-makers, let us know.  In the meantime, where can you make a difference today?

Dreaming and scheming

Yesterday I mentioned how this summer I've been trying to be quiet and listen to what God has next for us at The Journey.  The summer time also allows us to do really do some dreaming and planning for the year ahead and our future as a church, in general.  Matt is more available with Stephani home, and my weekly load changes pace when I'm not speaking as much.  Yesterday, Matt and I spent about 3 hours together.  We spent time on some specific issues we're facing.  Then we spent some time looking back and looking forward.  I'm really excited about all that God has done and maybe even more excited about what is to come.

We both have a sense that we're on the verge of some big things.  But, it's going to take all of us!  So, if you're a part of The Journey, and you're on board with the vision that God has given our faith community, then we NEED YOU!!  There's lots to be a part of, and we've got (I believe - no, I know!) the most compelling mission on the planet to be a part of:  helping people connect in relationship with God and others in a way that shapes their eternity, heals their marriages, restores relationships, sets up generations of Jesus-followers, and so much more!

It's a Wrap

Wrapping up our weekend with Vince Antonucci, the author of the book to the left.  He spoke at The Journey Saturday night with a group of our leaders, then at church on Sunday, and then had a lunch with our staff.  If you want to find out more about the church he is starting on the vegas strip, or to be praying or financially supporting what they are doing there, you can simply click here! 

Today, Vince is saying some nice things about us on his blog.  You can check it out here The Answer is: YES!  Thanks Vince.  

We're looking to partnering with Vince and Verve now, and in the future as they reach the disconnected and broken along the Vegas Strip. 

Vince and the weekend

We had a great weekend with Vince Antonucci , who's starting a church on the Vegas Strip & wrote this great book.  We don't have many guest speakers in at The Journey, because to be honest, most speak in such a "churchy" way, where they assume that their listeners know most of the Bible stories, etc. that it just doesn't fit with The Journey.  And I think most, even believe that they aren't speaking with assumptions and in a "churchy" way, but they are.

So, what did you all think?  And, if we did a trip to Vegas sometime, would you be in?  And if you were in, would you place most of your life savings on the black #7?

5 years

This October we will celebrate our 5th anniversery as a church!  It's hard to believe.  We're going to be doing some special stuff this October as part of our 5 year anniversery.  Here's the question I have for you (okay 2 questions):  If you go to The Journey, what has been most meaningful to you about being a part of The Journey?, and (2) what has been the most meaningful/helpful message series we've done?  Come on, take a moment and make a comment - it's painless, I promise.

From my (Vantage) point of view

Yesterday, Matt did a great job with the message.  He did a great job with the series and hopefully it has caused you to look at your "Vantage Point" and begin living from an eternal perspective.  We had a lot of new people at The Journey yesterday, and over 370 people (in July!!). 

We had a Community Group gathering last night at the Smith's house.  We played yard games, had great food, and did a Baby Dedication!  Reese (Rich and Dana's daughter) had been sick the morning of our spring Baby Dedication, so we had it yesterday.  Read some verses, and then had the group gather around and put our hands on them and bless them as parents and Reese as she grows.  That's being "community"!

So proud of the way people at The Journey look for new people and show them around, talk with them, make their first experience a positive one.  You guys Rock!

It was my birthday on Saturday.  I turned . . . from my point of view, the years go quicker and quicker.  We had a great time though - we went for a bike ride all the way to the beach and back - it was perfect weather.  Oh, and Jen made my favorite . . . chocolate peanut butter pie!!