Final drum roll please...? /\/\/\/\/\ *those are drumsticks* Here are my top three memories of the past 10 months.
#3 Gas buy down. With 502 people in church this past Sunday, what we did last May seems even crazier to me. I think God sometimes clouds our "fear factor" in moments when we need to advance without fear. We had about 10 - 12 committed Elementers on Memorial Day weekend when we pulled this thing off. We recruited family and friends to come help from Greeley, Oklahoma and Gillette just to have enough help. We wanted our first event in the city to be a servant project, and we thought helping people fill their gas tanks would be a great service. We had no real consistent offering coming in, no volunteer base, no way to really promote the event. You can read all about this event and how it worked in the following blogs. Bunch of posts on this one here, here, here, here, here, here, and here. Little did I know where Element would go from here. I almost put this #1. It definitely gets the award for "Most Posts On The Blog For One Event".
#2 Element Gives Back. HOLY COW was this fun! We developed a blog to log all the stories of ways people gave back. Go to www.elementgivesback.com to check it out. We planned in August to do a sermon series in January on finances/stewardship. As we were approaching the series we began talking about how we were going to illustrate the scriptural principle of tithing and portraying the idea that "this money is not our own". The gives back idea is not original to us. We saw another church do this in a different way, so we prayed about it and felt like it would be an AMAZING way to model this and that God wanted us to do it. We felt like to do it correctly we wanted to give back one weeks entire offering to the congregation. So we made the decision that the offering from January 6th, we would give back in varying increments to the congregation, on January 13th. Little did we know the kind of impact it would have on our congregation. We spoke truthfully and openly about finances and God's command for us to give 10% of our income back to Him. This is something we hope to do every year at surprise times. It not only teaches the congregation to give back, but it keeps Element Church in that mode as well. You can read all about it here, here and here.
#1b October 7th, 2007 is a day I will never...NEVER forget. I cannot tell you how it feels as someone whom God called to come plant this church, to stand at the door of a theater and watch over 200 people come to hear the Gospel message of Jesus Christ. When we decided to do this thing I didn't have a clue if 2 people would come, let alone 200. I was amazed. ABSOLUTELY AMAZED! To literally begin to see the vision unfold before your eyes. To see the promises of God be fulfilled. Yet it was only the beginning. That day we worked SO HARD to get to, I stood there and said "This is only the beginning.". God didn't call us to launch Sunday. God didn't call us to "start" a church. He called us to lead this church, and I'll do it till I die or He calls me on. I think this would make any list I make from here on out. Not sure how launch Sunday doesn't take the cake. You can read about it here, here, here, and here.
#1a Another #1 is yet to come. Element Church, God is not done with you yet. What amazes me is the new stories that come, will blow these out of the water. God is in the business of doing AMAZING things through His people. It was fun for me to recount these stories, so if no one else enjoyed it I did. And to think, my wife had to talk me into start blogging. I'm so glad I did so we have record of all the things God has done. I'll leave you with this from Isaiah 55
"And these events will be great honor to the Lord's name; they will be an everlasting sign of his power and love."
Greater things are yet to come,
Jeff
Showing posts with label Memories. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Memories. Show all posts
Monday, April 7, 2008
Thursday, April 3, 2008
Top 10 part 1
Hey Element Church! It's been 10 months since we did our first major servant project and started our Unplugged services (June of 07). With that I wanted to offer my Element Top 10 moments. I'll link you to a few of my archived blogs from my Top 10. It's amazing where God has brought us in 10 months, and I think it's fun to remember what has happened. So, without further adieu, the Element Top 10. Drum roll please....
#10 Starting Life Group and finding our office and finding the theater all in the same month. Here is a link to a blog on our Life Group. 13 people came. I remember how excited I was. It seemed like FOREVER before people came to our group. Here is a link to finding our office. MAN, God provided a great space for us. I think it was and is HUGE to start with an office as soon as possible. And Here is a link to our first tour through the theater. My comments are funny in light what we're going through now.
#9 Egg Hunt Cancelled! In April of 07' we were going to serve at the city egg hunt by providing inflatable games. This would have been our first face into the city. We put an ad in the paper and were REALLY excited about serving and then it got canceled. We were very bummed. Here, here and here are a some posts on it. And look at how GREAT this years event was.
#8 Christmas Outreach. This outreach wasn't as "flashy" as some of the other things we have done but that wasn't the point. I was SO excited to actually help out 4 specific moms and their families over Christmas. They were all blown away. Read about it here and here. 8 moms this year? 12? I hope to go all out again for some families.
#7 First Element Wedding. This was so much fun and it made it so much better to have my boy Grant help perform the ceremony. Read about it here.
This is hard. Didn't know how hard it would be to pick 10. I'll give you four more tomorrow. My top 2 are SET! Easy to name my top 2. But you'll wait.
What are your favorite Element moments?
#10 Starting Life Group and finding our office and finding the theater all in the same month. Here is a link to a blog on our Life Group. 13 people came. I remember how excited I was. It seemed like FOREVER before people came to our group. Here is a link to finding our office. MAN, God provided a great space for us. I think it was and is HUGE to start with an office as soon as possible. And Here is a link to our first tour through the theater. My comments are funny in light what we're going through now.
#9 Egg Hunt Cancelled! In April of 07' we were going to serve at the city egg hunt by providing inflatable games. This would have been our first face into the city. We put an ad in the paper and were REALLY excited about serving and then it got canceled. We were very bummed. Here, here and here are a some posts on it. And look at how GREAT this years event was.
#8 Christmas Outreach. This outreach wasn't as "flashy" as some of the other things we have done but that wasn't the point. I was SO excited to actually help out 4 specific moms and their families over Christmas. They were all blown away. Read about it here and here. 8 moms this year? 12? I hope to go all out again for some families.
#7 First Element Wedding. This was so much fun and it made it so much better to have my boy Grant help perform the ceremony. Read about it here.
This is hard. Didn't know how hard it would be to pick 10. I'll give you four more tomorrow. My top 2 are SET! Easy to name my top 2. But you'll wait.
What are your favorite Element moments?
Monday, November 19, 2007
Laughing Before Life Group
I'm sitting here waiting for Life Group to begin. We host a group on Monday's here at our house. I was getting the place ready for group had the front door open and I stood there looking out the door and began to laugh. Why? Because I remember 8 months ago (March) doing the same thing only I was wondering "Will anyone show up to this thing we're doing?" There were 6 of us then. Grand and Terri, Keenan and Katrina and my wife and I. Our first Life Group no one we invited came. I think our second Life Group (maybe more), a lady came that we all had made a connection with. It was hilarious. "SOMEONE ELSE IS HERE!" We all started whispering. 7 of us. Then 10, 12, 14.
In June we decided to start Unplugged. We DESPERATELY did NOT want people to think we had started our church. Unplugged was NOT how we wanted to do church but we knew it was necessary because we were multiplying into three different Life Groups from our original one and we needed that large group time to begin building our team. So, that second Sunday in June we begin, and again I'm watching the door "Will anyone come to this thing?" 34 people came to that first Unplugged.
July 1st, our first "real" service as a preview. August 5th, Sept. 9th, October 7th (launch). Still that same question. "Will anyone show up to this thing we're doing?" And now, December 2nd is coming. What is December 2nd? Our launch into 2 services. And that same question.
Around the office and with the team, it feels almost like we're launching again. We're making this next step. Taking this big risk. It would be comfortable to stay at one. We can know everyone, we know people will come. We financially, volunteer, energy and time wise could do it. BUT that's not why we are here. I don't know if I'll ever stop asking that question. Literally every week I wonder if people will come. I don't know why I'm like that. I know this is God's thing and not mine, and maybe that's why. The fact that I get to lead this amazing thing God is doing blows me away. I get to be a part of GOD'S church. "Will anyone show up to this thing I get to do?"
I don't ever want to lose the sense of anticipation, wonder, awe, amazement at what God does and what He allows me to be a part of. Elementers, I love you guy's. Thanks for coming. Because of you I can answer every week "Someone came!" As long as someone comes, I'll keep doing what I do. lol
Following Christ,
Jeff
In June we decided to start Unplugged. We DESPERATELY did NOT want people to think we had started our church. Unplugged was NOT how we wanted to do church but we knew it was necessary because we were multiplying into three different Life Groups from our original one and we needed that large group time to begin building our team. So, that second Sunday in June we begin, and again I'm watching the door "Will anyone come to this thing?" 34 people came to that first Unplugged.
July 1st, our first "real" service as a preview. August 5th, Sept. 9th, October 7th (launch). Still that same question. "Will anyone show up to this thing we're doing?" And now, December 2nd is coming. What is December 2nd? Our launch into 2 services. And that same question.
Around the office and with the team, it feels almost like we're launching again. We're making this next step. Taking this big risk. It would be comfortable to stay at one. We can know everyone, we know people will come. We financially, volunteer, energy and time wise could do it. BUT that's not why we are here. I don't know if I'll ever stop asking that question. Literally every week I wonder if people will come. I don't know why I'm like that. I know this is God's thing and not mine, and maybe that's why. The fact that I get to lead this amazing thing God is doing blows me away. I get to be a part of GOD'S church. "Will anyone show up to this thing I get to do?"
I don't ever want to lose the sense of anticipation, wonder, awe, amazement at what God does and what He allows me to be a part of. Elementers, I love you guy's. Thanks for coming. Because of you I can answer every week "Someone came!" As long as someone comes, I'll keep doing what I do. lol
Following Christ,
Jeff
Friday, October 5, 2007
19 Months: 7 Days Ago
Right about 19 months and 7 days ago this adventure started. I can't wrap my brain around the fact that we are actually starting this church, THIS SUNDAY! It seriously seems like it was just 7 months ago that this started, but it's been 19. The excitement in the office yesterday was electric. For the first time in this whole process I got butterflies in my stomach yesterday. It was the same feeling I would get when playing sports in school, just that nervous anticipation. Here are some memories and thoughts of the last 19 months and 7 days.
--- I'll talk of this over and over till the day I die. February 28th, 2006 God confirmed to me through Scripture that we were to go and start a new church in Cheyenne. I asked Grant that day "Do you ever think about church planting?" His response "I think about it every day bro!" That 1 minute conversation started a course of adventure for us that will/has forever changed our lives.
--- The Sunday I told Dan of this calling in my heart is a day in the process I'll never forget. I went over to his house on a Sunday afternoon. He had to know something was up. I was scared to death, don't know why. Felt the same way when I told my dad I was called to the ministry. Both Dan and my Dad are two the of the godliest men I know so being afraid doesn't make sense. God had already been speaking to Dan's heart about me leaving. That was amazing. He wasn't surprised! The Lord had already prepared his heart for what I was going to tell him. Dan has been nothing but 100% supportive since then.
--- Church planters boot camp. We attended boot camp in June of 06' in Pennsylvania. I remember going through three emotions when we were there. "What in the world have we got ourselves into?" "Man, I think we can do this." "When can we start, we can definitely do this!"
This is a church planter MUST. I don't know where we would be were it not for boot camp.
--- Result from boot camp. They had challenged everyone to be in your mission field for a year before launch. We were planning on coming here in June of 07' and launching in September. Because of their advice, and the divine working of God in the hearts of HPCC and provision of a youth pastor for them, we were able to move here in February of 07' which gave us a 4 month head start. We wouldn't be ready to launch this week if we would have arrived in June.
--- September of 06 Keenan and Katrina moved to Cheyenne. Again, one of those things that got us to where we are at today. They paved the way and made some key relationships for us in the community. HUGE step of faith for them to do that. They were here all lone for 5 months.
--- October of 2006. Our first team meeting with Adam and Amber. Adam and Amber didn't commit at that time but the Lord spoke to Grants heart and said "This is the first meeting of your team." I didn't look for anyone else. Adam was the first person that God laid on my heart to be our worship leader. I talked to him from October 06 to February of 07 before that punk agreed to come down here. LOL It was a huge step for them as well to leave Adams home church and the only place he had done ministry. God clearly paved the way for them as well with confirmations through friends, family and Scripture that this was God's move for them.
--- Adam joining the team just completed it all. I don't know of anyone else on this entire team I would do things differently with. God brought us together for this calling. That amazes me.
--- March 2007: 6 of us meet in a basement to start Element Church.
May 2007: Gas buydown serving over 200 vehicles
June 2007: Life Groups multiply from 1 - 3
June 2007: Unplugged worship service begins with 34 people
June 23, 2007: We serve thousands of people at Superday with inflatable games
July 1, 2007: First Preview 75 people
August 5: Second Preview
Sept. 29th: Gas Buydown, over 5,000 gallons and 480 people served.
Sept. 30th: Final Preview 78 people in attendance
Oct. 7th, 2007: ????? What will happen. This is not the end. This is not the day I see in my heart. In fact. I don't see an end. The opportunities for God to work in Cheyenne are LIMITLESS. What will we do? Where will we go? Who will we reach? WOW! It is here. I can't believe it.
Following Christ,
Jeff
--- I'll talk of this over and over till the day I die. February 28th, 2006 God confirmed to me through Scripture that we were to go and start a new church in Cheyenne. I asked Grant that day "Do you ever think about church planting?" His response "I think about it every day bro!" That 1 minute conversation started a course of adventure for us that will/has forever changed our lives.
--- The Sunday I told Dan of this calling in my heart is a day in the process I'll never forget. I went over to his house on a Sunday afternoon. He had to know something was up. I was scared to death, don't know why. Felt the same way when I told my dad I was called to the ministry. Both Dan and my Dad are two the of the godliest men I know so being afraid doesn't make sense. God had already been speaking to Dan's heart about me leaving. That was amazing. He wasn't surprised! The Lord had already prepared his heart for what I was going to tell him. Dan has been nothing but 100% supportive since then.
--- Church planters boot camp. We attended boot camp in June of 06' in Pennsylvania. I remember going through three emotions when we were there. "What in the world have we got ourselves into?" "Man, I think we can do this." "When can we start, we can definitely do this!"
This is a church planter MUST. I don't know where we would be were it not for boot camp.
--- Result from boot camp. They had challenged everyone to be in your mission field for a year before launch. We were planning on coming here in June of 07' and launching in September. Because of their advice, and the divine working of God in the hearts of HPCC and provision of a youth pastor for them, we were able to move here in February of 07' which gave us a 4 month head start. We wouldn't be ready to launch this week if we would have arrived in June.
--- September of 06 Keenan and Katrina moved to Cheyenne. Again, one of those things that got us to where we are at today. They paved the way and made some key relationships for us in the community. HUGE step of faith for them to do that. They were here all lone for 5 months.
--- October of 2006. Our first team meeting with Adam and Amber. Adam and Amber didn't commit at that time but the Lord spoke to Grants heart and said "This is the first meeting of your team." I didn't look for anyone else. Adam was the first person that God laid on my heart to be our worship leader. I talked to him from October 06 to February of 07 before that punk agreed to come down here. LOL It was a huge step for them as well to leave Adams home church and the only place he had done ministry. God clearly paved the way for them as well with confirmations through friends, family and Scripture that this was God's move for them.
--- Adam joining the team just completed it all. I don't know of anyone else on this entire team I would do things differently with. God brought us together for this calling. That amazes me.
--- March 2007: 6 of us meet in a basement to start Element Church.
May 2007: Gas buydown serving over 200 vehicles
June 2007: Life Groups multiply from 1 - 3
June 2007: Unplugged worship service begins with 34 people
June 23, 2007: We serve thousands of people at Superday with inflatable games
July 1, 2007: First Preview 75 people
August 5: Second Preview
Sept. 29th: Gas Buydown, over 5,000 gallons and 480 people served.
Sept. 30th: Final Preview 78 people in attendance
Oct. 7th, 2007: ????? What will happen. This is not the end. This is not the day I see in my heart. In fact. I don't see an end. The opportunities for God to work in Cheyenne are LIMITLESS. What will we do? Where will we go? Who will we reach? WOW! It is here. I can't believe it.
Following Christ,
Jeff
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