Today is significant. Today I’m reflecting and thinking about all God did last weekend. To see almost 10,000 people come to the mall with virtually no advertising, just three weeks of planning, and nine days of set up is just simply ONLY GOD.
Hundreds found Christ, hundreds were baptized, Heaven rejoiced, and we have a new home, which by the way is in the center of Clark County.
If you haven’t heard, for the time being we will have services at Saturday 5pm & 7pm and Sunday 9am & 11am, ALL at our Vancouver mall campus.
Living free will remain at Brush Prairie on Tuesday nights for now. We are in the middle of conversations about moving our student campus, but for now until further notice, our High School ministry Awaken will stay on Wednesdays at our student campus (Orchards), Middle School will take a break for the next couple of weeks while we work out a plan to accommodate students at the mall campus. Thank you for your understanding!
I don’t know why I am always blown away when I see God move so powerfully. It should be almost expected, but the way everyone rallied, donated financially, the way God showed up, and people were saved is really an incredible miracle. If you haven’t seen the memory wall please take time to have a look, it's unbelievable. Add your stories if you can, they are an all important testimony to the life-changing power of God.
I hope to see everyone this weekend – there is room now to invite friends. Once these 4 services fill up, the plan is to add a 1pm service in the future.
Yesterday is significant because 4 years ago to the day, I was processing some of the most frightening words of my life: malignant cancer.
On April 6, 2006, I was told by doctors I had malignant cancer, stage 3 melanoma with a fifty percent chance of making it beyond 5 years. I look back 4 years and am reminded of the words that God gave me at the time. Cancer Clarity. Cancer has an unstoppable way of causing us to see what matters, and allows us to look ahead with greater focus and clarity. It caused me to look differently at my family, my faith, and my future.
When I think about what matters, I realize most of the things we stress about won't matter in eternity.
When those words are said to you (and I pray you don't ever have to hear them), they have a way of bringing incredible focus, and "clarity". Eternity is all that matters, people are all that matter, and Jesus is all that matters.
Tomorrow is important for lots of reasons, but as I think back to 4 years ago I am reminded that today is all I have.
James 4:14 says it best: “What is your life but a mist that appears for a short time and then vanishes”
No matter what we think we have, or what we plan for tomorrow, today is really all we do have.
Maybe today you could take the time and think about your family, your faith, and your future. Maybe today God would give you eternal clarity. Today is all we have. Let's make the most of it.
I’ll see everyone this weekend. Please Facebook if you can, let everyone know all 4 services are at our mall campus: Saturday 5pm & 7pm and Sunday 9am & 11am. As we know more details, we will of course share them.
I want to give a big shout out again to all the people who made this happen. Never stop believing in God, and knowing He believes in you.
John
Anyone can view this DaKonaGuy | April 12th I, too, have left Facebook. It seemed it was not a serious communication tool, and I did not like the lack of privacy. I wish the website had news about the church. I wanted to find out about Easter attendance, finally read John's blog to get a number. Here in Hawaii, we need a way to really stay connectyed to the mother church. Brent is a great pastor, but it is easy to forget we are part of something much bigger. Also, let's have a method to hear what is happening at other campuses, problems, victories, "Only God" happenings, etc. I think every pastor should submit a weekly report of what is happing at their campus. (Sorry Brent, I know you don't need more work.;-) |
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Randi Sue | April 9th Missy (and John) Thanks for the heartfelt and informative reply. I would be remiss to not agree with all the other avenues you listed. My intention was never to discount that those exist. I guess my perception has been the push/use of facebook to the point I am left wondering if the other avenues I have access to can even compete for up-to-date reliability.....which then leads to my feeling of disconnect at times. Please know that I support LHC, admire the dedicated staff beyond measure and am blessed to be part of an awesome church this side of heaven! Love you back, Randi Sue |
Missy | April 9th Hi Randi Sue!! I was just reading and thought I'd try and answer your question by saying, "YES." We try and communicate anything going on through these seven avenues: print (bulletin, invite cards, brochures); social media (facebook, myspace, youtube, blogs); website; direct weekly emails; roadside banners; electronic board at the road and weekend services (visual slides, announcements). I may even be forgetting something but we are trying (and somewhat failing at the moment) to come up with a new website that is more interactive. I actually was just on a conference call today for a really unique new product that would bring our online sermons back, create online bible studies, and so much more. We love you and we're trying... come hang out sometime with me and let me know if you have any more ideas! Love ya, Missy |
Randi Sue | April 8th I am hoping that LHC will recognize and purpose to find a variety of ways to effectively communicate important information to all members as we move forward and not just limit it to those who are on facebook. There are many of us, including myself, that are not on facebook for valid reasons but are dedicated tithers, volunteers and attendees who want and need to be included. I utilize the website weekly but am left dissapointed to find what I came looking for. In a church our size I can't be the only one who feels this disconnect. Thanks for considering this request. |
Madeline Walbridge | April 8th I absolutely looooooved serving as we got the "Murch" ready.. PRAISE JESUS for everything that He did and WILL DO!!! |
Jaymie Sanderson | April 7th I had so much fun helping serve painting stuffing eggs thank you john |
Stormin | April 7th AN "ONLY GOD" WEEKEND!! Seeing all the New Believers is what it's all about!!!! Stormin |
Danny Vallelunga | April 7th John it felt so good to serv last weekend and to see all those peaple of all ages come together was great, it amazed me how many peaple came to 2 and 3 services they just could not get enough, what a great easter weekend. |
