Life Change Stories November 4, 2008

My favorite thing about being in ministry is hearing the life change stories.  We had our volunteer class last night and I had the opportunity to talk with a family about how they came to NewSpring.  The wife said that a co-worker had been inviting them for a long time and she kept telling them no.  See, she and her husband were living together at the time and not married and she said she did not want to come to church knowing that they were living in sin.  She finally got tired of her friend asking her so they gave in and came one Sunday.  After coming and seeing the environment and hearing Perry they left knowing they were coming back the next Sunday.  A few Sundays later, in the middle of the man series, the message really struck home with them and their situation of living together.  She said they got in the car and were speechless.  They both knew at that point that they had to do something about their sin.  They got married!  They had a little private wedding and were married by the judge that she works for.  They have since joined the church and are now getting plugged into serving with us.  It was an amazing story of how their lives have changed since coming to NewSpring.

I asked later who this judge was and it is the same judge who just handled the finalization of the adoption of our beautiful baby girl last week.  Here’s the thing guys, this judge really impacted my family with the words he shared before getting into all the legal stuff.  He spent the first five minutes in the court room telling us thank you for letting him be a part of this day with us.  One thing he said really stuck out to us.  He said that he hoped that someday our paths would cross again in this community and he will be able to remain a little part of our lives.  He then said that if they did not he knew that his name would be on the documents naming us as the parents of Hope.  So, as I was talking to the lady who works for him she proceeded to tell me that she has been inviting him to NewSpring for a long time and that she was not going to give up on him.

After this conversation I was reminded once again how cool God is and how he works.  God has already crossed our paths with that judge through his assistant.  She was going to go to him and tell him hello for us.  And the fact that she’s been inviting him for so long and because of her own personal story she will not give up inviting him.  Our paths will literally cross again.

Guys, this is what it’s all about.  Making that name of Jesus famous one life at a time.  One life change at a time.  This is what pumps me up.  What’s your story and who are you telling?  I would like to know your story and share it with everyone who reads this blog.  You can e-mail it to me at sherry.moorhead@newspring.cc or simply comment to this post.  Ready go!

You guys rock!

A first in ministry November 3, 2008

I got my world rocked yesterday.  WOW!  God is really stretching me in so many ways lately.  I was given the opportunity to interview Shaunti Feldhahn, author of For Women Only, from the stage for all four services here at NewSpring.  It was truly an amazing day.. heavy, exhausting, different, awkward .. but amazing.  Yesterday I was able to experience several first time feelings in ministry.

I arrived here on Campus at 7:30am with so much excitement and anticipation for what God was getting ready to do here in this community.  After all, what God had revealed to me in just preparing for this interview had changed my marriage.  It was a God thing that I was the one interviewing.  It was originally going to be Shane Duffey and myself.  On the way here I prayed for the Lord just to help me to be calm and not be nervous at all about being on stage all day.  I was not once nervous about being on that stage.  I felt very confident about speaking in front of thousands of people.  I was amazed at how calm I was.  I’ve been more nervous doing just the welcome than I was with this.  I was ready to go, ready to see life change in front of me.  But not ready for the attack that was about to happen.

From there the day went a little different from what I imagined.  The first and second service went by and I felt like I’d been run over by a truck 100 times.  I was shocked at the crowds response to the service.  Now, was it the norm for a NewSpring service?  No.  It was very different.  We’ve only done an interview style service once I think and Perry was the one interviewing.  I’ve never felt more confused in my life when I came off the stage after the second service.  This service had been planned out for months and God led this idea and gave us all comfort in the conversation that was to be had from that stage.  What was the deal?  After much thought and a day to pray through this I’ve come to a better understanding of what it feels like to piss satan off right to his face.

We had our break before the third service and came back with much encouragement from some very wise people.  We circled and prayed and then headed back to the stage two more times.  The crowds were smaller and much more receptive to the interview.  People were laughing more and very engaged.  After the last service I left the stage feeling like many people left with knowledge and understanding that can change their relationships and marriages but also like I’d just been on the front line of a battle.

This is the first time…

• I’ve felt so blessed to be able to take a part in leading the service from the same stage as Perry Noble.  Really people, he’s amazing.  And he trusted me to be up there in his place.  Crazy!  I still have not gotten over the shock of that.
• I’ve felt the heaviness that so many pastors experience every week when some people don’t like the message they deliver.  Obedience is not always easy, that is an understatement!
• I’ve felt so confused by the reaction of many people in the crowd and at the same time so excited that so many in the crowd were getting it.
• I’ve felt the amazing fullness that God used me in a way that will impact so many relationships in such a positive way.
• I’ve been stretched so far and yet felt so comfortable.
• I’ve had such a huge part in defeating the attack of the enemy.  And I liked it!

I love this church.  I love the people in this church and the volunteers that serve and make this place happen every week.  I look forward to many firsts in ministry at this amazing place.  I’m ready to charge hell with a water pistol, and that’s no easy task.  Are you?  Thank you, Jesus, for such an amazing opportunity to serve you and trusting me to fight this battle with some amazing people.