We are getting ready to enter into one of the most exciting seasons of NewSpring Church.  God continues to put opportunity in front of us that not many people ever get to experience.  We have so much opportunity to impact so many people.  We are looking at having Christmas services that will touch over 15,000 people in person and thousands worldwide.  We are looking at a 10 year celebration where we will unite all campuses of NewSpring for the first time at the Bi-Lo center.  And then we are hosting over 3000 church leaders from around the world so that we can encourage and build up other leaders in ministry.  God is doing a work here that not a one of us can take credit for but each one of have been effected by.  Just this past year more than 1500 people have accepted Jesus as their Lord and savior, marriages have been restored, lives have been changed.  The work that God is doing in this church starts within each of our lives.  It is lives being saved, changed, and grown to honor the Lord.  It is an honor to serve alongside all of you.

Save the dates and look for upcoming sign-up opportunities to serve with us.

Here’s what’s up…

• Christmas Services -       Wednesday, December 23^rd @ 4PM and 6PM and Thursday, December 24^th @ 10AM, 2PM & 4PM

• Bi-Lo Center 10 year anniversary service – Sunday, January 24^th @ 10:30AM
• Unleash 2010 – Thursday, March 4^th all day (7am-5pm) shifts available

There will be separate communication for each of these events where you will be given a link to sign up to serve.  Look for these e-mails and announcements in the next few weeks.  You can also check back here on this site weekly for updates, volunteer opportunities, and life change stories .

I got this e-mail the other day from an amazing volunteer whom I love dearly.  He shared this with me and it’s too good to keep all to myself.  Thank you, Barron.  Check this out…

Hi All

As the first day of the New Year came to a close, I took a sunset flight, and just looking at God’s beauty from two thousand feet, I just think it is so awesome how blessed we are. This is not a special photo with any alterations, just God’s ‘regular old sunset’.

We should all thank God for blessing us in ways that we never realize. Despite all the resolutions and things that we promise ourselfs that we are going to change to be better, lets just focus on what God already provides for us, and pray daily and thank Him for His mercy and grace He provides.

Lets just be still and listen to what he says, take that time every day to focus on Him…and listen.

We don’t realize how good we have it.

These are a few pictures of the tree with some of the gifts that were brought for the toy drive.  We were able to supply Christmas gifts for hundreds of families in our community.  Thank you for giving.

I got an e-mail today that I wanted to share with our volunteers.  Check this out…

My wife and I had the opportunity to slip in on Saturday and be apart of the 6:00 pm service. We brought our little girl Hannah Rose and she did awesome (so the volunteer said). I just wanted to take the time to let you know that we really enjoyed our experience, your staff and the volunteers were great they made it easier to leave Hannah and enjoy the worship experience knowing that she was safe and well taken care of. The young man that showed us to the Flute Room (I think that is what it was called) was great he talked to us as well as Hannah trying to answer any questions that we might have as we went and to make us all a little more comfortable. I was glad he was there because with all the hustle and bustle and the large crowd we probably would of gotten lost and would have missed the start of the service. When we checked her into the room the volunteer made sure again to answer any questions and to point out how things were done and as we were leaving to head to our seat we noticed the police/security floating the children’s area which eased my wife quickly.  From the time we checked her in until we left everyone greeted us with love and care even though they didn’t know us. Once we got home my wife even noticed that Hannah’s diaper bag had been very neatly packed and that things were not just shoved in it to rush us out the door.

I have served on staff at several churches and worked with a lot of great people, but the volunteers at NewSpring and especially the Nursery/Children’s area were great. We hope and pray that when we are released from our current staff positions that God will allow us to play some small part in the work at NewSpring. Thanks again and I hope that you have a Safe, Blessed and Merry Christmas.

Oh yeah my wife and I really enjoyed the worship service it was awesome to see so many give their hearts to the Lord. Thank you all the entire staff and volunteers for being obedient to the Lord.

One last thing, it is really a side note, my wife and I were very impressed that the parking crew. They stood in the rain and the cold to still guide the way for all of us. I don’t know if you could let someone know but that was impressive that their passion still shines through the rain and that I really appreciate their dedication and commitment to God and to His Church. Not that my appreciation means much but what they do, and all of you are doing, really does matter.

Again thanks for a great experience!
Serving Christ while serving others,

The atrium is beginning to look a lot like Christmas and I like it!  I cannot wait for you guys to see it.  We have some very talented volunteers here.  This Sunday the Christmas Party is getting started.  You don’t want to miss the worship time when the kids (1st – 5th grade) will be leading us.  Get here early!  Also, don’t forget to bring your new, unwrapped toys for us to give to those who need them.

I cannot believe we get to be a part of such an amazing church and movement of God.  Thank you for sharing your gifts and talents with us.

As most of you know we have ministry leaders from other churches visit NewSpring often.  It’s is always so cool to get feedback from their visit.  Here’s a few words I wanted to share with all of our amazing volunteers.  Check this out.

I just wanted to thank you for the experience that we had at NewSpring Sunday night. I’m not even sure where to start but I want you to know what an incredible experience it was for us. We used Sunday to take a road trip to visit three churches. Andy is our Media Director and I’m the Administrator and Service Coordinator. We constantly have our eyes peeled for churches that have broken the mold and are reaching people who won’t go to a traditional church. So that’s why we have our eyes on NewSpring. I watch your services every week online and am constantly referencing stuff you’re doing when we are in our Service Planning Meetings. Seeing the action go down in person blows me away. It was an experience that you can’t “feel” just by watching the videos on your site. What made NewSpring different from other churches that we’ve visited was the people. The people of NewSpring were unbelievable and, from my first impression, is what made NewSpring different…what a refreshing difference! Right when we got there, Jason, spotted us wandering around and offered to give us a tour of the facility. He spent about half an hour with us, answering questions, describing NewSpring, and helping us understand your vision. Thanks Jason! Right after that, Dan grabbed us, got us hot chocolate and just sat and talked to us in the atrium. Following that, we met part of the band and several others. Everyone was genuinely excited to meet us. I was hooked on NewSpring and the service hadn’t even started. There’s a phrase that we constantly use at Bay Shore and it is that the sermon starts in the parking lot. You guys have that DOWN! No wonder you guys are busting at the seams.

I will be back.

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?

Window view, originally uploaded by sherry.moorhead.

It’s so interesting that I have such a perfect view of the construction going on outside my window. There are so many little things that have to be done before the walls even go up and a building is visible. Right now there is a ditch dug with some skinny wire cookie rack looking things laying in there. When I see that I cannot honestly comprehend in the big picture of things what benefit those skinny wires have in supporting a building. There are so many steps happening out there that have to be done to keep the building from falling down. God tells us that it takes each one of us, each with a different thing to do, to come together to build up His church. Each person out there on the site has a certain job to do, some big and some small. They each required training, knowledge, and experience in order to complete their job. In order to build this building, each one of those construction workers had to be built up first. The same is true for His church. You build up the people in the church, you build the church. Each of you are in the blueprints of NewSpring. We want to meet you where you are in your stage of construction. You have to be willing to get in the ditch and be a metal cookie sheet looking rack. We want to build your relationship with Jesus, your understanding of his love, and your passion for His people. Together we will build a church that will not fall down.