Back from South Carolina

The staff and I went up to the Unleash conference in South Carolina this week. It was unbelievable. I don't think there's one of us who didn't hear directly from God. Perry Noble is doing amazing things at Newspring Church. Or I should say that God is doing amazing things through Perry Noble.

By Perry's own admission this week he said that he was not smart, not trained and not educated. What he said that he was is open to listen to God and do whatever He says without hesitation. Perry is a man of huge risks. God is meeting him in what he is willing to give up for the cause of Christ.

Some things that stuck with me:
"If you're not offending someone, I don't think you're preaching the Gospel."
"We do not get to where God wants us to go by playing it safe."
"Don't sell out to another agenda other than Jesus."

We're taking a big risk ourselves next week with Easter at Eola. We've never done anything like it. I don't know any church that's done anything like it, turning their Easter service into an actual chance to serve. It could rain. People could stay home, not find it, not find a parking space, or miss the announcement totally and go to our regular church location. But God is teaching me that He will not produce great fruit without great faith.

The event is growing day by day too. Now do we not only have the Destiny Foundation with us, we have Rock for Hunger from UCF, the Orange County Public Library System, and Home Sweet Homeless coming too. There will be tons of opportunity for us to show people in our church and who visit with us how they can help people in our community. I'm encouraged that these organizations are still ready to partner with the church when we are ready to answer Jesus call to serve the poor.

I'm ready to step out. Are you?

Comments

[Dan]

I just have to say that your idea for Easter is so refreshing. As a younger person in ministry, it is simply amazing that you and your church will be serving the poor and living out your faith on Easter. Too many churches will be trying to figure out how to get people into their buildings, but you guys are meeting people where they are at and BEING and BRINGING Good News and Resurrection to the poor in your city. May God do a mighty work!