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Internship Announcement

 
I am very excited to announce SpringWell Churchwill begin an Internship starting August 1, 2010.

 

This intentional leadership development program focuses on helping interns discover their own call as a church leader, acquire specific skills relating to ministry, and form habits that will carry them into a lifetime of ministry service.

 

Interns will have the opportunity to receive practical training through one of two different internship tracks: General and Specific. Our hope is to give our interns a 30,000 foot view of the church in the General Track or detailed training in the Specific ministry related Track.

 

Interns will be fully immersed in ministry alongside a staff pastor who leads a specific area. That staff pastor will serve as your immediate supervisor and coach. Mentorship in the areas of spiritual formation and leadership development will be provided by the Executive Pastor. Your involvement will span everything from service tasks that are critical to the running of the ministry, to significant leadership opportunities designed to stretch and grow you, and then everything else in-between. While your focus will likely be on a particular ministry area, you will need to see yourself as a team player who is able to serve wherever needed. 

 

If you sense God calling you to an adventure that requires huge faith, this might be just what you are looking for.

 

Interns will raise funds as a missionary to our community. You will receive training and personal coaching to help develop partners and raise funds.

 Download SpringWell Internship Application

Check This Out!

Todd Carpenter is our Pastor of Connection & Discipleship at SpringWell.

He has written a couple of great posts this week about Fasting.

Check them out:

21 Days of Fasting…

Fasting and the Face of God

Prepare for Your Breakthrough

Are you ready for a God-Sized breakthrough?

As you prepare for Sunday's message, take time to read Isaiah 58:1-12.

You don't want to miss this weekend, invite someone to join you!

Fasting – Suggested Reading

As we prepare for our 21 Day Fast (February 1-21), I wanted to offer some suggested reading. I have read each of these books and can easily recommend them. You can order each book by clicking the picture below.

I would love to hear about your learnings if these books are an encouragement to you.

 

 

 

The Daniel Fast

As we prepare for our church-wide 21-day fast, I wanted to share the basic guidelines for a Daniel Fast. This is based the experience of Daniel in the book of Daniel in the Old Testament.

SpringWell is fasting from February 1-21, 2010. Each person is asked to fast something of his or her choice. Some will be fasting food altogether, others will be fasting technology such as TV, texting, internet, or Facebook, while some will do different types of food fasts.

If you choose to do a Daniel Fast, the following will be helpful:

Foods You May Eat

• Whole Grains
  Brown Rice, Oats, Barley
• Beans
  Dried Beans, Pinto Beans, Split Peas, Lentils, Black Eyed Peas
• Fruits
  Apples, Apricots, Bananas, Blackberries, Blueberries, Boysenberries, Cantaloupe, Cherries, Cranberries, Oats, Figs, Grapefruit, Grapes, Guava, Honeydew Melon, Kiwi, Lemons, Limes, Mangoes, Nectarines, Papayas, Peaches, Pears, Pineapples, Plums, Prunes, Raisins, Raspberries, Strawberries, Tangelos, Tangerines, Watermelon
• Vegatables
  Artichokes, Asparagus, Beets, Broccoli, Brussels Sprouts, Cabbage, Carrots, Cauliflower, Celery, Chili Peppers, Corn, Cucumbers, Eggplant, Garlic, Gingerroot, Kale, Leeks, Lettuce, Mushrooms, Mustard Greens, Okra, Onions, Parsley, Potatoes, Radishes, Rutabagas, Scallions, Spinach, Sprouts, Squashes, Sweet Potatoes, Tomatoes, Turnips, Watercress, Yams, Zucchini. Veggie burgers are also an option if you're not allergic to soy.
• Liquids
  Spring Water, Distilled Water, 100% All-Natural Fruit Juices, 100% All Natural Vegetable Juices. You may also drink protein drinks.
• Others
  Seeds, Nuts, Sprouts

Foods To Avoid

• Meat
• White Rice
• Fried Foods
• Caffeine
• Carbonated Beverages
• Foods Containing Preservatives or Additives
• Refined Sugar
• Sugar Substitutes
• White Flour and All Products Using It
• Margarine, Shortening, High Fat Products

 

12 Reasons to Fast

1. Jesus told us to
2. Jesus fasted and modeled it
3. To get closer to God
4. To understand God's purpose and direction
5. To receive greater spiritual power
6. To receive health and healing
7. To receive financial breakthrough
8. To experience deliverance in your life
9. For mountains to be removed in your life
10. For unity and blessing
11. For Revival in the Church
12. For faith to be increased

 

 

The Future of Spiritual Formation

I am so excited to announce that SpringWell Church is partnering with Monvee to be on the forefront of The Future of Spiritual Formation.

We will unveil this exciting web-based tool on Saturday during our CORE Leadership Retreat.

Monvee will assist those who desire to be a fully devoted disciple of Jesus Christ by developing a handcrafted personalized spiritual growth plan.

John Ortberg says, "Assembly line approaches to discipleship don't work, because everyone is uniquely wired. Monvee will help people own and design the way of life where they can experience maximum growth. People have a crying need to find a way to follow Jesus that is not mechanical or legalistic and that is concrete. Disciples of Jesus cannot be mass produced they have to be handcrafted."

One of our Core Values at SpringWell is Personal Growth. We believe every disciple of Jesus Christ must take personal responsibility for growing in character, emotional wholeness, and relational authenticity. This is why we feel providing such an innovative resource as Monvee meshes with who we are as a church. You are unique and God created you that way. Therefore, a cookie cutter approach to discipleship must be replaced with unique personalized plan, based on how you were created.

Monvee will be the perfect partner with our Growth Groups. Monvee will challenge you as an individual to take personal responsibility and Growth Groups will provide a relational environment for support, encouragement, and accountability. This is a powerful combination.

Monvee will be available to those not attending the retreat for a cost of $40.00. This will give you lifetime access to developing your personalized spiritual growth plan. You will be able to update your plan periodically based on the stages and seasons of your life.

You will hear much more in the coming weeks and months. We are thrilled to be ahead of the curve as we partner with the exciting innovation that is going to take the church and discipleship into a completely new level.

Types of Fasts

As we prepare for our church-wide 21 Day Fast from February 1-21, I wanted to share 6 types of fasts:

1. Normal - abstaining from all food, but not water.
Example: Jesus "ate nothing during those days, and at the end of them was hungry" (Luke 4:2).

2. Absolute - abstaining from food and water; normally no more than 3 days. The body can only go a very short time without water. This is an exceptional fast for an exceptional situation.
Examples: For three days Paul was blind, and did not eat or drink anything" (Acts 9:9), Moses (Deut. 9:9), Israel (Ezra 10:6), Israel (Esther 4:16).

3. Partial - restricting diet of certain foods or a meal a day rather than complete abstention. This allows for many variations.
Examples: Daniel "so the guard took away their choice food and the wine they were to drink and gave them vegetables instead" (Daniel 1:16), (Daniel 10:3).

4. Regular - fast days that commemorate an event or weekly fasts on a regular day.
Examples: Day of Atonement (Lev. 23:27; Ps. 35:13; Is. 58:5), a fast day (Jer. 36:6); four separate festivals (Zech 8:19); twice a week (Luke 18:11-12).

5. Public - fasts called to times of special need and emergency. Almost all regular fasts were public fasts, but all public fasts are not necessarily regular ones.
Examples: King Jehoshaphat when Judah was invaded (2 Chron. 20:1-4), Ezra returning the exiles (Ezra 8:21-23) Ninevah, as a result of Jonah's preaching (Jonah 3:5,10).

6. Involuntary -no desire for food because of anxiety, sorrow, or mental distress (Dan. 6:18), and where a person finds themselves in a situation where no food is available (Matt. 15:32; 2 Cor. 6:5, 11:27)

Fasting is effective because the man or woman who can conquer self-denial can be entrusted with spiritual power. The hard thing is conquering self. The way God trains us is through fasting.

Are you praying about how God wants you to fast?

Dominican Republic Mission Trip Announcement

 I am so excited to announce SpringWell will be going to the Dominican Republic October 16-23, 2010 for our foreign mission trip.

We will be partnering with Missionaries Danny and Denise Stone who lovely lead Restoration Ranch. The Ranch is a residential home for abandoned or orphaned children.

We will serve this awesome ministry through a number of servant-evangelism projects. These include:

· Construction Projects

· Prayer Walking

· Children’s Ministry

· And much more

The trip will be open to all those 18 years old and up.

If you are interested in being a part of our team…. Download Dominican Republic Mission Trip Packet 2010

New Orleans Mission Trip Announcement

 
I am so excited to announce SpringWell will be going to New Orleans July 18-24, 2010 for our stateside summer mission trip.

We will be partnering with several ministries to impact the lives of those still devastated by the aftermath of Katrina.

We will serve this great city through a number of servant-evangelism projects. These include:

· Children’s Ministry

· Work a Day Camp

· Music Ministry

· Construction Projects

· And much more

We will be coming alongside Vintage Church (a church plant in the heart of New Orleans) and MissionLab as our primary partners.

The trip will be open to all those 12 years old and up.

If you are interested in being a part of our team….

Download New Orleans Mission Trip Packet 2010

Fasting

The purpose of fasting is to increase our appetite for God. As a fully devoted disciple of Jesus Christ, there is an expectation we will include this spiritual discipline as part of our lives. In Matthew 6:16, Jesus said, "When you fast"; He had an assumption we would be fasting.

Fasting is all about removing something from our lives so we can get closer to God. Most often fasting involves food but we can fast other things as well. We can fast entertainment, data (i.e. texting, Facebook, the internet), caffeine, or much more.

SpringWell is asking our entire church family to join us in a group fast from February 1-21, 2010. Yes….a 21 day fast! This fast will end on Sunday, February 21^st during our Sunday morning services as we share communion and an extended time of worship.

Throughout the month of January, I plan to blog about fasting to help us prepare. Later this week, I will share the benefits of fasting for breakthroughs in your life.

I would love to hear your experiences with fasting. Click the Comments link below so others can learn from you as well.

Rest & Reflection

Our office has limited hours this week and next due to the holidays. I was also able to use the last of my vacation days for some extra rest and reflection. I normally use vacation time to disconnect and decompress. I try to avoid emails and phone calls related to ministry to recharge my personal batteries.

Instead of traveling this vacation, we are staying home for the holidays. I am spending these two weeks mixing personal pleasure and ministry preparation. This is a detour from my normal routine of total disconnection. I am excited about resting, reading, and reflecting at a slower pace.

I have learned true rest is not recovery from what we have been through; but preparation for the future.

Here are a few things I believe about the future:

In regards to SpringWell:

• God is up to something at SpringWell. You want to be there when it happens
• Whatever God is up to will require BIG faith!
• Empowering Leaders must be a front burner issue
• Unity around our vision and values cannot be compromised
• Prayer and Fasting will play a major role in tapping into the unexplainable

In regards to my family:

• This will be a year of healing from the pain of the last few years. (Our son's divorce took us through a grief like I've never known)
• Greenville will be cemented in our hearts as we establish this as our home for the long term future
• Renee and I will commit to sharing our marriage (along with its joys and struggles) with others to help them find grace, forgiveness, and health
• We will do everything we can to spoil our grandson, TJ!

In regards to Legacy Coaching:

• Coming along side Pastors and Church Leaders will remain our focus
• We will implement some new and creative ways to influence Church Health
• New doors for networking will open based on relationships (Because…it's all about relationships!)
• We will beat the drum that each church is unique and should focus on its own DNA without apology
• We will free pastors and churches from the frustration of imitating the models of other churches and leaders

Enough reflecting….I need to rest some more….thanks for reading.

What are your thoughts?

Fasting, Faith, and Finances

Several weeks ago, we had a combined meeting with our Elders and Management Team at SpringWell. The purpose of our discussion was to assess church health and financial need. Scott asked the question, "What are you hearing from God? It did not take long to recognize our unity. One by one, we all basically said the same thing: "God is obviously at work through SpringWell. Lives are being changed and growth is taking place in every area of our church. We just cannot seem to experience a financial breakthrough."

We all agreed whatever God is up to will require a greater measure of faith from our leaders and church. This led us to recognize the value of fasting to increase our faith. We all agreed to pray about how God would stretch our faith to believe for big things for our future.

This challenged me to read the Elmer Towns book Fasting for Financial Breakthrough. It is a quick read and inspired me to share some principles with our staff during a recent staff meeting.

I believe our biggest challenge for experiencing a financial breakthrough is not getting more money but more faith.

After sharing my thoughts from this book to our staff, several have committed to various types of fasts. One staff member shared their journey with me about how they were praying for a specific $3,000 need within our Family Ministry. The first day they were preparing to fast, they received a phone call from a member of SpringWell who asked, "How could the children's ministry use $3,000? I would like to make such a donation."

Do you see the connection?

Fasting increases our faith. Faith and faithfulness are needed if we expect a financial breakthrough.

To listen to the lesson I shared with our staff visit this link.

Please keep in mind, I was sharing with our staff and certainly said some things I would not say on a Sunday morning. Leaders must address reality and I certainly did so in the context of this meeting.

God is so clearly at work at SpringWell and we desperately desire the faith required to experience all He has in store for us.

I'd love to hear about how God is stretching your faith.

Book Review: TransforMissional Coaching

The 80's were about management; the 90's were about leadership; and this decade has been about coaching. This has been my personal progression as a church leader. When I look back at the books, I have read during these seasons of my life, it has been clear how they influenced my development.

I am currently reading several books regarding coaching. TransforMissional Coaching has been one of the best this year.

The premise is effective coaching enables transformation that leads to focused Missional ministry. To be truly transformed we must experience our character becoming like Christ. The reaction to this change is we clarify our calling. This is the merging of the Great Commandment and the Great Commission. The two cannot be separated.

As an Executive Pastor, TransforMissional Coaching has helped me understand the need to lead our staff as a coach. I really do not like the term "boss" nor do I want to be one. I am a leader among equals and strive to empower our staff and leaders to be everything God has called them to be. Coaching conversations that produces clarity in their character and calling is my ultimate goal.

As a Leadership Coach and Church Health Consultant, TransforMissional Coaching has reminded me of the impact intentional coaching can have on a church leader. Organizational change begins with change (transformation) in the leader. Walking along side a leader who is growing and changing is a great blessing.

If you desire to be the most effective leader you can be and hunger for meaningful conversations, I highly recommend TransforMissional Coaching.

It’s All About Love

Yesterday we launched a new series called 40 Days of Love. Life is all about learning to love. It sounds simple but it's not always easy. Life can be so confusing and full of distractions. So many things can demand our focus. We must be extremely intentional if love is going to be our greatest aim (1 Corinthians 14:1).

Here are a few reminders from the message (you can also checkout the podcast):

• We love because God loves us
• Love is a choice and a commitment
• Love is an action not emotion
• Love is a skill I can learn
• Love is a habit I can develop

At SpringWell, Growth Groups are labs where we learn to love. They are a place where relationships and discipleship collide. This is why we are re-opening registration for you to get involved.

If you are not in a group…it's not too late. You can register here.

It's all about love!!

Prayer: You’ve Been Acquitted…Pass It On

Prayer does not change God….Prayer changes us.

During week three of Prayer 101, we continued to investigate the Lord's Prayer as our model to follow.

We focused on Forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.

Unforgiveness blocks the effectiveness of our prayers

We all stand in need of forgiveness of our sins and the Good News is WE ARE! Jesus paid the price for our sins and the debt has been cancelled. You've been acquitted.

Once forgiven, we are called to PASS IT ON!

If you have someone in your life with whom you are withholding forgiveness, don't allow this to block the effectiveness of your prayers.

We must use our freedom to free others. Self-centeredness causes short-sightedness. Reconciliation must be our ultimate goal.

I know this is easier said than done. Not everyone you are in conflict with wants to truly reconcile. I have experienced this recently in my life. I have struggled learning to forgive a person who will not take responsibility for their role in the situation. But despite this, Jesus teaches us to forgive over and over if needed. Though the relationship doesn't fully reconcile, your willingness to forgive, removes the blockades between you and God through prayer.

Is Unforgiveness blocking the effectiveness of your prayers?

Who are you harboring bitterness toward?

You are forgiven…Pass it on! Always make relationship the priority.

Take a listen to our Podcast for more about forgiveness and the power of prayer.

I would love to hear about the difference prayer is making in your life.

Prayer: Your Agenda or His?

Prayer does not change God….Prayer changes us.

During week two of Prayer 101, we continued to investigate the Lord's Prayer as our model to follow.

We looked at two phrases: You kingdom come. Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. AND Give us this day our daily bread.

When we pray, we must learn to pray according to God's agenda not ours.

It is very tempting, when we pray, to come to God with our list of things we want done. This is ineffective and frustrating.

Effective prayer is prayed according to God's agenda. His will and not ours.

What is the focus of your prayers? Is it His agenda or yours?

Are you asking God to make your will happen or His?

Are you seeking His provision or giving Him your list of wants?

Take a listen to our Podcast for more about praying God's agenda.

I would love to hear about the difference prayer is making in your life.

Prayer: Know Who You Approach!

The past four weeks have been a blast as I've preached at SpringWell. We have been discussing the topic of Prayer.

Prayer does not change God….Prayer changes us.

The Lord's Prayer has been the model we have investigated.

The opening statement is Our Father in Heaven, Hallowed be Your Name

When we pray, we must know who we are approaching.

God is Jehovah. He is the God who has always been, He is the God who IS, and He is the God who will always be.

Jehovah God is our Righteousness, our Sanctifier, our Peace, our Healer, our Provider, and our Shepherd.

WOW! When you pray….do you really know who you are approaching?

Take a listen to our Podcast for more about approaching God.

I would love to hear about the difference pray is making in your life.

Do You Limp or Strut?

Yesterday, I wrote the following status on my Facebook: When hiring staff.....I'd much rather hire someone with a limp instead of a strut.

I received several comments and thought I would expound more on my blog.

I think the limp represents those who are broken and dependant. Jacob is a great example of this in Genesis 32:22-32. Jacob wrestled with God and walked away with a limp for the rest of his life. He was transformed through his struggle.

When I hire someone, I want those who have been through enough struggle they know they are dependent on God. Broken people are dependent on God. This is much different from those who act like a victim all the time. Brokenness and dependence produces humility.

Those with a strut are quite the opposite. They are self-reliant and have no need for others. They miss the point of team ministry and dependence on God. I often say, "I cannot teach someone who knows it all." The strut represents those who know it all.

To be honest, when I first started out in ministry….I walked with a strut. It took almost 10 years before I was willing to wrestle with God and walk away with a limp. Today, I would never trade my limp in for the strut. I embrace it. I value it. I respect it.

How about you? Do you limp or strut?

How To Benefit From The Bible

On Sunday, June 14^th, I had the privilege of preaching at SpringWell. My topic was how to benefit from the Bible. Since then, I've had quite a few people ask for the resources I gave on during service.

First, much of my message was influenced by the book God Wrote A Book. I encourage you to consider purchasing the book as a resource.

Second, the podcast is available here if you want to listen again or if you missed it.

Lastly, here is the outline from the message:

 

Key Verse: His word burns in my heart like a fire. It's like a fire in my bones! I am worn out trying to hold it in! I can't do it! Jeremiah 20:9

 

3 Ways to Benefit from the Bible:

 

1. Pick it Up!

   

The Bible cannot do anything for you if you don't pick it up. 

 

The grass withers and the flowers fade, but the word of our God stands forever. Isaiah 40:8

 

The Bible cannot grip you unless you grip it.

 

 Simple Question: How many times this week did you pick up your Bible?

   

2. Size it Up!

   

Eight Pictures of What the Word of God is:

 

1. Fire - Jeremiah 5:15 

2. Sword - Hebrews 4:12 

3. Hammer - Jeremiah 23:29  

4. Seed - 1 Peter 1:23 

5. Milk - 1 Peter 2:2  

6. Meat - Hebrews 5:12-14  

7. Lamp - Psalm 119:105 

8. Mirror - James 1:23-25 

   

3. Eat it up!

   

When I discovered your words, I devoured them. They are my joy and my heart's delight, for I bear your name, O Lord God of Heaven's Armies.                                                                Jeremiah 15:16

    

5 Things To Do If You Want To Eat It Up

 

1. Read it

   

2. Question it

   

7 Questions to ask:

 

What portion stands out to me?

Why does it have my attention?

Is there an example to follow?

Is there an error to avoid?

Is there a duty for me to perform?

Is there a promise for me to claim?

Is there a sin for me to confess?

   

3. Plan it (What action will you take? How will you respond?)

   

4. Pray it (There is power in praying God's Word)

   

5. Share it (The best way to learn something is to tell others)

 

 

I hope this is helpful. Thanks for your encouragement. I'd love to hear what God is saying to you as you read your Bible.

Core Values: Bonus

Over the last week or so, I've been sharing the core values that drive my ministry life. They are the hills I am willing to die on. These 7 values guide every decision I make as a church leader. Let's review:

 

• Authentic Relationships - People not programs and relationships not religion are built through biblical community.

  Acts 2:44-46; John 15:12

   

• Transformation - Life is a journey and best developed through biblical application and taking responsibility for personal growth. Romans 12:1-2; Galatians 5:22-25

 

• Reproduction - Church growth is the result of growing people…growing people. Matthew 28:19-20; Ephesians 4:11-13

   

• Team Ministry - Servanthood expressed through shared vision and values produces synergy. Philippians 2:4; Romans 12:5

 

• Cultural Relevance - Creativity and excellence in our forms and methods maximize effectiveness. 1 Chronicles 12:32;

1 Corinthians 9:22-23; Colossians 3:23-24

 

• Simplicity - Church is not meant to be complicated therefore we strive for balance as we live out everyday Christianity.

  Matthew 6:33

   

• Prayer - Private and corporate prayer is relied upon in every area of our lives and this church. Matthew 7:7-8;

  2 Chronicles 7:14

 

How about you? Have you gone through the journey of discovering your core values?

Core Values 6 of 7

 

Simplicity - Church is not meant to be complicated therefore; we strive for balance as we live out everyday Christianity.

 

The most radical thing in life is balance. We live in a world of extremes. The church has many times fallen into the same trap. This is why I crave simplicity in ministry.

 

As a church leader, I strive for simplicity and balance in all we do. The church has too often complicated things. We create programs to oversee programs and put committees together to develop rules for our rules. All of this is very exhausting.

 

Christianity is about radical balance. The Sermon on the Mount is full of examples. Jesus calls us to find ultimate balance in Him and through the Kingdom of God.

 

How about you? Does life seem complicated? Do you crave simplicity? What needs to be simplified in your life?

 

Here is the scripture I use as a foundation for this value:

 

But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.     Matthew 6:33

Core Values 2 of 7

 

Today, I would like to share the second of seven core values I have for ministry.

 

Transformation - Life is a journey and best developed through biblical application and taking responsibility for personal growth.

 

I learned very early in ministry God was the ultimate change agent. Being a fully devoted disciple of Christ meant I could no longer accept the status quo. We are to live life as examples of what transformed people are like.

 

I also found myself frustrated in those early years of ministry when Christians expected the church to do everything for them. This is not God's plan. He expects each of us to take responsibility for our own personal and spiritual growth.

 

Change and transformation are expected when we begin to follow Christ. I want to live a life where I expect the same thing in my life and the life of those who call themselves Disciples.

 

How about you? Are you taking responsibility for your personal and spiritual growth? Are you living a stagnant life or are you being transformed? What needs to change? Here are a couple scriptures that guide this value in my life:

 

I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.    Romans 12:1-2

 

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. And those who are Christ's have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.    Galatians 5:22-25

 

Core Values 1 of 7

Over the next week or so, I would like to share my personal ministry values. These are the hills I am willing to die on in ministry. I consider them to be clear, constant, and non-negotiable.

This is about the way I am wired and how I believe God has designed me to accomplish the vision He has for my Calling.

This list of Core Values is the result of a journey of discovery I took several years ago. I spent a lot of time reflecting, questioning, and getting input from those around me. Here is my first value:

Authentic Relationships - People not programs and relationships not religion are built through biblical community.

I have discovered relationships are one of the most important things in my life. Not superficial relationships but rather relationships that authentic and biblical.

I have found this to be both my strength and weakness. The strength shows itself in my commitment to those with whom I share community. The weakness demonstrates itself through the wounds I experience when a relationship goes through unresolved conflict.

This commitment to relationship frees me to confront any issue (good or bad) for the sake of open communication.

I've learned God only cares about three things: Relationships, Relationships, and Relationships.

The success of any relationship is dependent on only three things: Communication, Communication, and Communication.

The scriptures that guide this value in my life are as follows:

Now all who believed were together, and had all things in common, and sold their possessions and goods, and divided them among all, as anyone had need. So continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they ate their food with gladness and simplicity of heart.      Acts 2:44-46

This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you.    John 15:12

I am So Proud!

Words cannot express how proud I am of Mike Ferrante. I first met Mike in 1999. A couple of summers later, I was speaking at the Baltimore Convention Center and we reconnected. It did not take long for us to realize God had orchestrated our lives to intersect. Soon after that, I asked Mike to join our staff at The Mission DC. We continued to work together after we closed The Mission DC until I moved to Greenville, SC.

Mike is like a son to me. We have shared life. We have experienced what community is all about. We have laughed together, cried together, rejoiced together, mourned together, dreamed together. Most importantly, we have walked through change together. It has been a journey I truly cherish.

Mike is hands down one of the most anointed worship leaders I have ever worked with. Worship is not what he does…it's who is. I cannot count how many times I've experienced the overwhelming presence of God as Mike led in worship.

Last fall, Mike and his team from the Westminster Church of God recorded their first live worship album. Mike called me about 30 minutes before the worship service was about to begin. I had the wonderful privilege to pray with him just before the recording was to start.

When I listen to this album, I feel as though I was there. I listen with great pride and enjoyment. I love the spontaneous moments found in Jesus to You. I've used the repeat button each time I listen to Every Need. (I am so proud of you Becky Kaskel.) I love to linger in the song To the Cross.

Personally, I feel the album falls way short of what a live experience with Mike is like. That's only because that's what I prefer. J I'm ruined.

Despite my hang-ups, I think everyone needs to take a listen. This is his freshman project. There is no doubt each one will get better from here.

Download here and let me know what you think.