One Life at a time July 28, 2008

Here is an e-mail I got today.  This says it all…

Hi Sherry!

I know how much you love to hear about the impact NewSpring Church is making one life at a time.

My son Lee attended for the 7-13 opening of the Greenville Campus and the message intrigued him to the point that he said he could not wait to hear the rest of the messages from the “You Asked For It” series. He had visited the Anderson Campus several times at the request of Kelly, Gina, and I. He always said he enjoyed the music, but he was hesitant about the messages. Like I had always done, Lee seemed to be struggling with old perceptions of “organized religion” and a true lack of understanding that God’s word can be presented lovingly and relevantly, without compromising the strength and truth.

During the 7-20-08 Greenville 11:15AM service, Lee and Gina sat in the first row of the Greenville Auditorium.  I was working the service from the Greenville A Control room.  During the message our camera people always “lock down” their camera as they leave the auditorium during the message.  One of the cameras was “locked down” at such an angle that Lee and Gina were framed up as if the camera person was intentionally focusing on my son and wife.  My friends in A Control joked “Oh look, your family is on the monitor….you can make sure they bow their heads and close their eyes during prayers!”.

Throughout the message I glanced at Lee and Gina, enjoying the fact that I felt like I was “sitting” with them during the service.  When Perry gave his invitation to close the message, my heart started pounding in my chest as I watched Lee on the monitor…as Perry asked those who had accepted the invitation to raise their hand in acknowledgment, I could only cover my mouth with my hand to keep from screaming as I saw my son’s hand raise on the monitor!!!!!!!!!!!!!   The A Control room exploded with joy and celebration…my fellow volunteers hugging me and joining me in tears of joy.

Needless to say, it was a moment of incredible emotions for me.  I told Howard, I have always embraced the vision that NewSpring is all about reaching people one life at a time, but I can’t tell you how much that vision is driven home when the “one life” is one of your children…

Signed,
One Incredibly Blessed and Thankful Servant

–
Chip Schneider
NewSpring Church Volunteer
Greenville Campus Production Team

Team July 23, 2008

Do we even realize the potential we have as a body to influence people for Jesus? One passion, one church, one body, one purpose. We are looking at a team of some 5000 people who are the core of a movement that is far beyond our understanding. Are we unified? There are times, to be very honest with you, that I’ve seen more passion and anticipation at my three year old’s soccer game than I’ve seen on teams for Jesus. What is a team? A team consist of different player with different positions and responsibilities. The players are committed, excited, and anticipating a win. In order to do that they have to work together, rely on each other, encourage each other, cheer each other on. The ultimate goal of a team is to win. If you think about any sports team and the level of excellence and practice that goes into the ultimate goal being accomplished it’s not hard to see their passion. Should we, as a church body, team Jesus, not be even more passionate about our ultimate goal. Should we not be even more committed, excited, and pumped up about building this church and the people in it. Are you part of the team? Get in the game and let’s anticipate the win, people meeting Jesus.

Window View July 8, 2008

Construction , originally uploaded by sherry.moorhead.

Here we are looking out my window on July 7, 2008. The is a shot of part of the children’s wing with part of the Student Ministry building in the background. Things are moving along so quickly.
I’ve noticed that there is so much that has to be done underground, that we cannot even see, before anything can be done above ground. There were so many holes dug and then pipes, wires, wood, cement, you name it put in the ground. Finally the steal is starting to go up. Before this building can stand, there has to be the proper support in the ground. Before we can serve and honor the Lord the way He wants us to, we have to have the proper support within each of us. It’s a work inside us that is not visible from the outside. It is giving our whole selves to the Lord and understanding the intimate love of the Lord. It is only when we are letting the Lord construct us on the inside that He will truly be honored on the outside with our lives.
Are you giving your whole self to the Lord? Do you understand the love Jesus has for you and wants you to share with others?

Contagious July 2, 2008

According to dictionary.com one definition of contagious is spreading or tending to spread from one to another; infectious: a contagious smile.

Volunteering @ NewSpring will become more and more contagious, infectious.  I cannot get this out of my head lately.  What’s going to ignite this furry of excitement more about serving as Jesus did?  It’s not going to be something Perry is going to say from the stage, or something I say at an Impact class, or something people are going to read on a blog.  It’s going to be what people SEE in each of you, the volunteers.  Guys, you are the core of an infectious smile that will eventually see thousands and thousands of people accept Jesus.  You are the core of a movement that will move far beyond our little towns of Anderson, Greenville, and Florence.   It’s going to be because of what they see on each of your faces and what they see in the volunteers every week.  When you see a great movie, you talk about it.  When people see joy and love in others the exceeds anything they’ve ever experienced before, they will talk about it.  I know this is going to happen more and more and it’s going to happen through you.  Are you ready to be contagious?  I AM!

Live Free Live Loud 2008 July 1, 2008

Live Free Live Loud 2008, originally uploaded by sherry.moorhead.

What an amazing night this was. We counted over 3500 people who came through the gates and even more were parked in the fields surrounding. We had 164 volunteers carrying coolers, greeting, and parking cars. It was a beautiful night. To top it off $20,900 was donated at the gates, so $41,800 will be donated to local charities. Thank you to all who attended and to all of our amazing volunteers who served so enthusiastically.