Sharing the encouragement August 28, 2008

I met with two great guys this past Sunday from Waters Edge Church in Yorktown, Va. They came to visit to see how we do Volunteer ministry here at NewSpring. Can I just throw out there that these guys are on fire for the Lord. The joy of the Lord just pours out of them. You can see their energy and excitement about the passion Jesus has given them to make His name famous. It was a great pleasure meeting them and showing them around. I can tell you all day long how amazing you are and how important your ministry is, but there is nothing like hearing that from those who experience it for the first time. Here’s some of the feedback. Check this out.

Proactive, energetic, and welcoming. They left no question in my mind that they were excited to see me.

Moments that we loved…after walking to the car the reentry into the building brought several “Welcome’s”; in the service the ushers were friendly and proactive, even letting one boy know about your no re-entrance policy before he left…it brought me such pleasure to watch that usher own their position and take action so quickly…Fabulous!… the last impression that we received was just a perception that I believe your Host Team members play a part in creating…that is anticipation. In the lobby before the service there was a buzz in the crowd, what seemed like electric in the air, people were awaiting something great and awesome that was about to happen.

Sherry, again, thank you so much for all of your help and kindness. The other thing that impressed me was the energy level and excitement of you and Colleen. It bleeds down to your volunteers and just breeds that anticipation and excitement that your Host Team members create. Thank you for allowing us to have that experience. We loved it!

Have a wonderful day knowing that you and NewSpring are having a great impact in Yorktown, VA at Waters Edge Church!

Contagious, people! Let’s be contagious. Ready, GO!

A ten year old… August 25, 2008

I received this e-mail today from a father in our church.  Check this out and share this with others you serve with.

My 10 year old son brought one of his friends to church with us yesterday morning.  On our way home I asked our guest what he thought about Newspring.  He asked about the new buildings and said it looked like we were building a hospital.  He asked if our church was rich because it had nice “stuff”.  The coolest question he asked was that he wanted to know why we had so many people working at our church.  I didn’t know what he was talking about at first but then he told me about the people at the door, and at the check-in counter, and in the lobby, and in his classroom, and in the parking lot.  A ten year old was blown away with the volunteers!  A ten year old….

Thank you to the three volunteers in the parking lot.  Thank you to the four greeters at the door, to the lady who checked our kids in.  Thanks to the three people in the Violin nursery that took care of my baby. To the two people who signed in my middle child in Theatre 2 and the six volunteers that taught him about Jesus.  To the three security folks I saw in the atrium and to the guy at the door of the classroom upstairs where my son and his friend went.  To the six-eight volunteers that were in that room that made an impression on my son and his friend.  And thank you to the four greeters at the door to the sanctuary, four ushers that helped me find a seat, eight members of the band on stage, two sound guys, four camera operators, light operator, and two preachers.  Thank you to the 50 volunteers that met people down front and to the ushers that took the offering.

Thank you to the at least 106 people I personally saw in ministry yesterday!  All 106 of you had a direct impact on my worship.  Thank you to all those behind the scenes that no one sees.  The building was squeaky clean as usual, the staging and the cross was tremendous.  The video work was superb as always.

Don’t ever, for a moment, think what you do doesn’t matter.  It does!  It mattered to my son’s 10 year old friend yesterday and it did to me.

From a thankful father.

Sunday 8/24 August 25, 2008

UMM, WOW!

Yesterday at NewSpring was so incredible.  There is so much anticipation in the air when you walk in the door your heart immediately starts beating a little faster.  Attendance numbers are increasing each week by the hundreds.  We had over 8200 people attend the Anderson campus and over 1600 attend the Greenville campus.  There were over 1600 kids who had the opportunity to learn about Jesus on their level.  It was just two years ago we “only” had 5800 people here on that same week.  Guys, we are almost double what we were two years ago.  How SWEET is our Jesus!

Here is the over flow in the lobby at the 11:15 service in Anderson.

There were so many people who went down front to pray.  There were some who were broken and hurting and many who prayed to receive Jesus into their lives.  This was for sure a Sunday that we should have handed out tissue with the bulletin.  Just last week over 200 people stood to accept Christ.  God is doing an extravagant work here and we get to be a part in it.  What?  Crazy, hu.  Volunteers, thank you for your ministry.  God is using you in a mighty way.

This is the most amazing thing to be a part of.  I never imagined in all my life that I would have such an exciting opportunity to serve the Lord and live life to the fullness that I am experiencing.

Words of a Volunteer August 18, 2008

“I think it is very important for volunteers to understand the “why” we do as much or more than the “what”. It is important for parkers, greeters and ushers to know that the interaction we have with our guests can condition hard-hearts and make them pliable before Perry ever speaks a word. I guess the really cool thing to think about is that Jesus is working through us conditioning those hearts and breaking down barriers.” –Glenn

Make us contagious, Lord.  Thank you for allowing me to serve along side some of the most amazing people in the world.  Use us to make your name famous.

Coming up August 12, 2008

This Sunday August 17, 2008 from 8:30am – 1:00pm the Bloodmobile will be on the Anderson NewSpring Campus.  Bruster’s Ice cream will be giving a pint of ice cream for every person who gives blood.  Come to church with you sleeve rolled up.

Thursday September 4, 2008 @ 7:00pm will be the next Impact. a volunteer class at the Anderson NewSpring Campus.  We want people to come and see what serving is all about.  We have invite cards to give to all of our volunteers to invite people to come and check this out.  You can pick up those cards at the Help Desk on Sunday.  It’s your stories, your excitement, and your invitation that will make ministry contagious.

Refreshing August 11, 2008

I was on vacation with my family last week and I have to say it really reminded me of the Grizwald Family Vacation.  I’m exhausted!  There is nothing like home.  But we did have the chance to visit Barefoot Community Church in North Myrtle Beach.  The environment there was very relaxed and friendly.  They meet in an old theater which adds a cool factor.  As I was standing during the worship I looked over and saw tons of names written all over the walls.

It was at that moment that I lost it.  One God, One church, One passion.  It’s always refreshing to visit other churches.  They always do things a little differently but there is still that trace of oneness in the air.  I later found out that Shane and Cherie Duffey, both on staff, visited a church in Charlotte who also had names written on the walls.

Being on staff now for almost seven years and seeing what God has done here through the people he has called together (both staff and volunteers) blows my mind.  Being reminded of the blessings and favor God has given NewSpring brings so much joy.  For all those on staff or volunteering in ministry, you are doing a work here that goes far beyond the walls of this building.  The Influence and movement you guys are leading is evident on the walls and in the passion of churches around the country.  It is a great pleasure to to serve with all of you.  As P always says, it’s only the beginning.  I cannot wait to see what God is going to do next.  It is my prayer that my life displays the love of Jesus and that God will use me to the fullest to make his name famous.  Make our passion contagious, Lord.