An Image of Jesus

Today, Transformation House was featured in the City People section of the Greenville (SC) News. The article was based on an interview that Amber Anderson and I recently gave to a reporter. I thought the writer, Donna Walker, did an excellent job of capturing our message and the heart of our interview with her.

The article started with this statement, "Transformation House aims to be a place where people can connect with one another, or with an image of God that they may not have expected to find." That really caught my attention: "an image of God that they may not have expected to find." I'm sure that's not how we stated it, but it is absolutely true.

We know that many people have a preconceived idea of God based on their past church experience, or their upbringing, or how God is portrayed through various media outlets. Some see him as an angry overlord, some as a sugar daddy, some as a distant, mysterious figure, some as a close, intimate friend.

Our goal in starting this downtown ministry, is to present to the people of Greenville a crystal clear picture of who Jesus really is. We are convinced that when they see him for who he really is, they will find him completely irresistible.

You can read the newspaper article online.

It Could Be Me

After you watch this video, you may be inspired to make a difference in someone's life. If so, let me know. I could use some help as we work in our city to help one person at a time change their destiny.

Unleash at NewSpring

I got to spend the day with friends and colleagues at NewSpring Church in Anderson.  I have been to Newspring several times for other events, but this was the first time I've attended Unleash.  If you're interested you can click here view videos from previous years.

I won't give you a lengthy description of the conference, but let me say that the volunteers were phenomenal - as always.  You can't attend NewSpring's Anderson campus without feeling that they are really glad you came.  Also, Lee and the worship team always move my heart closer toward God.  They are incredible musicians, but their music abilities pale compared to the presence of God that fills the room as He inhabits the praise.  I have never made it through a worship time at NewSpring without tears.

Today, I felt that the welcoming volunteers and the worship team were matched by the profound teaching that I received.  There were four sessions: two general sessions and two breakouts.  Perry Noble taught (preached) in the general sessions.  I attended his Q&A session for senior pastors and the breakout session taught by Jake Beaty, Pastor of Care and Outreach. 

Now, I've read a few blog posts, watched some YouTube videos, and read Tweets that criticized Perry and NewSpring for their methods and for the "false gospel" that is preached there.  I have never been to NewSpring when the gospel was not presented, and it was clearer than ever today.  Every session pointed to Jesus and the transforming power of the Gospel.  Perry and Jake reminded us that our first calling was not to ministry but to be a child of God - ministry just flows from that relationship. 

In a non-specific acknowledgement of recent blog posts concerning another pastor, early in the day Perry made his position clear by saying, "Hell really does exist, and people are going to go there unless we tell them about Jesus."

My greatest take-away was one point Perry made in the last session.  Here's my paraphrase:  He was challenging us to believe Jesus' words recorded in John 14:12 when he said that those of us following a God-given vision for ministry will look crazy to people who can't see the whole picture.  Those people may have a tendency to slow us down or stop us from fulfilling our ministry calling.  Perry pointed out that no great move of God recorded in Scripture happened because a person or group of people sat down and made a plan for the move of God.  More often than not, it happened when people stepped out in faith.  For instance, in the story of Jonathan and his armorbearer in 1 Samuel 14, we read, Jonathan said to his young armor-bearer, "Come, let’s go over to the outpost of those uncircumcised men. Perhaps the LORD will act in our behalf. Nothing can hinder the LORD from saving, whether by many or by few." "Do all that you have in mind,' his armor-bearer said. 'Go ahead; I am with you heart and soul.”

Did you read that?  Perhaps!  Yet so often we ask for writing in the sky, or some other sign, to assure us that we're on the right track.  However, let me make this personal.  If I am truly called to pastor a church in downtown Greenville - and I am - then I can walk in faith saying, "Let's do something.  Perhaps the Lord will act in our behalf."  God always backs up His calling. 

So, after today, I'm actively waiting to see what God will do as I partner with other Transformers and walk out in faith the call we have received.  I believe that Greenville will experience a great move of God.  Believers all over the city are living out their faith, those who are missing from our churches are crying out for help, and God is poised, ready to act on our behalf.  Perhaps today is the day.

He is the God of the Miraculous

Yesterday morning, during my prayer time, I was captivated by God's miraculous nature.  I was preparing for my day and anticipating having lunch with Pastor Chris and a friend who has been a tremendous blessing to Transformation House over the past 9 months.  At the same time, I didn't want this to just be another ho-hum day.  In my prayer I began to rehearse miracles from Biblical times:  blind eyes that were opened, lame people who were healed, children who were raised from the dead, the day the sun stood still. 

"God, if you did all those things, You are certainly capable of opening doors for me today and leading me to divine appointments with the right people, at the right time."

This phrase came to my mind, "He is able to do exceedingly, abundantly above all that we are able to ask or think according to the power that works within us."

Lunch on Main Street, Greenville

Well, I met Pastor Chris and our friend for lunch.  We shared our hopes and vision for future ministry opportunities in downtown Greenville.  Our friend said, "There's somebody you need to meet."  He picked up his phone and made a call then asked if we wanted to ride a few blocks to meet this guy.  Of course we did!

I won't go into the details here, but before the afternoon was over, we had met three different people who are investing blood, sweat, tears, and dollars in ministry to people in downtown Greenville.  Each one of these men were encouraging and offered their support as we take our next leap of faith.  Chris and I spent the entire afternoon downtown.  We now have four different buildings that are possible locations for Transformation House.  And that's just the beginning!

Our families went to RWOC for the evening service.  One of the first songs we sang was He's Able by Deitrick Haddon.  Then, Pastor Steven Ward got up and told us that we need to keep knocking until God opens the door but that we shouldn't expect Him to open a door if we aren't knocking. 

After worship, Pastor Ben Miller preached a GREAT word on dealing with frustrations.  I won't describe his message here because I believe every word was straight from God's heart to mine.  But, he ended by reading Ephesians 3:20 - you know, the verse that says God is "able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us."

At Transformation House, we are believing for great things.  While we're believing, we're working as if it depends on us, knocking and expecting the door to open, asking knowing He will answer, bleeding because it's a cause worth dying for, praying because we know it depends on God alone, giving because if it's worth having, someone else needs it too, and living like King's kids.

Wouldn't you like to be a Transformer too?

Created with Purpose Part 2

Tonight, we continued our IN THE BEGINNING series with part two of Created with Purpose.

For anyone trying to discover their purpose in life, here is some advice:

• Make a decision.  Don't wait for writing in the sky before taking a step into your destiny.  I believe God has already put in you everything you need to carry out your purpose.  What are you passionate about? Where are you gifted? What brings you joy?  When you find that answer, you will find your purpose.  God is not waiting for you to "find His will."  He is waiting for you to DO something.  Then, He will bless what you set your hand to do just because you belong to Him.
• Patiently wait for your work and passion to bear fruit.
• Don't waste time on things that don't matter or on things that God won't bless.
• Don't step into a role just because it's the only door open.
• Don't stop pursuing your passion.  Hebrews 12:1-3
• Give up control in areas that you can't control.  Proverbs 16:3
• Find God's will in His word.  2 Timothy 2:15
• Hang out with people smarter than you who have succeeded at what you want to do. 1 Corinthians 11:1

At Transformation House, we believe we should carry out Christ's commission as found in Matthew 28:16-20 and Luke 4:16-19.  The church in general, and Transformation House specifically, should find our purpose for existence in Isaiah 61:1-3:

• Anointed - set apart and given the ability and authority to perform the following tasks
• Preach good news - our message is Christ-centered, it is the message of our daily conversation
• Bind up brokenhearted - a place of refuge, arms and words of compassion
• Proclaim freedom for captives - to help those who deal with issues of life find freedom from their struggles
• Proclaim release from darkness for prisoners - to help people who have no hope of change find the way to a transformed life
• Proclaim God's favor and vengeance - point out the truth that grace is available now but judgment waits alternately
• Comfort mourners, provide for the grieving - put our money where our mouth is, don't just tell people that there is hope, give them hope; tangibly interact with those who have suffered loss
• Restore beauty for ashes, gladness for mourning, and praise instead of despair - be different from every other place.  No long faces and no sob stories.  We are all about beauty, excellence, grace, joy, contentment, praise, and encouragement.

Sounds like somewhere I want to be!  Join us.

The above picture is the interior of the building we are praying for.  The Board of Directors for the property is deciding this week if they will approve our proposal.  The room pictured would be the gallery when furnished with a coffee bar and casual seating.  This is the area we would like to have open each evening.  Thanks for praying for us this week.

Prayer for Our Country

Veteran's Day comes up this Wednesday.  Today, the city of Simpsonville held its annual Veteran's Appreciation Ceremony in front of the Veteran's Monument on Main Street.  I was honored to be asked to offer the benediction.

Even though November 11 is my birthday, when I read that date or hear it mentioned, I always think first that it is Veteran's Day.

I want to share with you my brief prayer from today's gathering:

Father, we approach you with full assurance of faith today based on the promise you made when you said,

"If my people who are called by my name

will humble themselves and pray

and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways,

then will I hear from heaven, I will forgive their sin

and will heal their land."

How appropriate it is, Lord, that we celebrate our Veterans and Thanksgiving in the same month. 

We certainly owe a debt of gratitude to those who have sacrificed and paid dearly for our freedom. 

We ask, O God, that their sacrifices not be in vain

and that we and our children would cherish and honor

the freedom they have provided for us.

May we never take for granted

those who still make freedom possible.

We ask for Your continued blessing on those who serve us

and on their families who make equal sacrifices.

We pause today to remember those affected by the tragedy

at Fort Hood this week

and ask that you would provide them with

the peace, strength and comfort

that they need during these difficult days.

Your word tells us that

the nation is blessed whose God is the Lord.

May that ever be so of the United States of America.

We ask these things in the name of Your Son, Jesus,

our precious Redeemer.

Amen.

Scripture from 2 Chronicles 7:14 and Psalm 33:12

Happy Unexpected Moments

Have you ever just been driving down the road when suddenly you see something that brings a smile to your face?  Ever been sitting in your favorite chair, minding your own business, when your spouse or a child runs up and gives you a kiss - for no particular reason?  How about flipping through an old photo album when a photo brings back a fond memory that was long forgotten?

We had one of the moments tonight.  We were dealing with some of the mundane tasks that go along with planting a church; struggling through the paperwork and legal-ese.  Some people consider that fun, but it's definitely not my forte.

We met for over six hours in a restaurant.  As we were getting ready to leave, we asked our very patient server for the check and found out that someone had already paid for our meals.  In fact, all we ended up paying for was one milkshake!  That made for one very happy unexpected moment, but that was just the beginning.

She mentioned that she was a student.  After telling us that she is a student at a local Christian college, she asked if we had been studying the Bible.  We told her that we were working on church documents and had indeed been studying the Bible as part of that. 

Then, she asked the normal question, "What church do you attend?"

We told her that we are starting a church on Main Street in Greenville, and I gave her one of my hot-off-the-press business cards. 

She said, "Oh?  That's so exciting!"

"We think so too."

"You just don't know how exciting this is" she said, "My friend and I used to go downtown often.  Rather than witnessing by hitting people over the head with a Bible, I would take my guitar and we'd sit and sing songs to witness.  We would pray that the Lord would send someone to start a church down there that would love everybody."

I told her that our stated values include this, "We want to be a place where everyone is loved equally and accepted.  It won't matter if you work in City Hall or if you're homeless, you'll be welcome at Transformation House."

"See," she said, "That's what we were praying for."

We finally let her leave - with a hefty tip - so she could finish her homework, and we all left so encouraged!  Our serendipitous encounter show how God has answered a prayer that Judy and I have been praying for many years, "Lord, protect the people of our city until you open the door for us to reach them."

TRANSFORMATION HOUSE

THANKS TO NEWSPRING CHURCH

Today, Pastor Chris and I had a very helpful conference call with Jason Morehead, exec pastor at NewSpring. We had a chance to tell him about our vision for ministry in downtown Greenville. He said he loves downtown Greenville. So do we. We were actually sitting on a bench on Main Street while we were talking with him.

We asked him questions about NewSpring's start and asked for some advice. We talked about what kind of team is needed initially. Can you guess what three people he said we would need? We talked about a couple of Board of Trustees models and what roles they would fill. He told us a bit about how NewSpring was financed in the early days.

I asked him what he thought caused people to come back a second time in the beginning. He said he personally came to NewSpring because a friend persistently invited him until he caved. He said that he believes some people come to NewSpring now because of the music or because of the excellence with which everything is done, but he believes the majority of people attend now for the same reason people came in the early days: Perry's relevant sermons that relate Biblical truths in a practical way.

We probably kept him on the phone longer than he planned, but he was very helpful and gave answers to every question. He was very encouraging and gave us enough direction to help us take the next step.

Then, Chris and I had lunch at Guadalajara. Duh!

GIVE ME A SIGN

Drove through downtown with Pastor Chris today. Saw some For Lease signs, Available signs, For Sale signs, and Coming Soon signs. Lord, show me your sign.

Greater things are yet to come and greater things are still to be done in this city...