Follow Me On My Prayer Retreat This Week via Twitter!!

Tuesday or Wednesday I will begin a three day prayer retreat. Feel free to follow me on Twitter. I will try to give up dates. I am praying primarily for Gods insight into a message I beleive He has given me for our fellowship. I feel that the Lord has instructed me to take my prayer retreat before elaborating on what it is I will be sharing. Please be in prayer with me.

Trusting God For Our Own Location

A couple of weeks ago I posted a comment on Twitter that I was feeling it was time to find a more permanent location of our own. This week in talking to so many of our members...they feel its time to move. Its tough doing what we do because we had our own place to worship until it was taken over by Word of Life to be sold for a profit. Every Sunday we show up 2.5 hours before service to set up the worship area...then we stay to tear it down. It has wore some folks out and I think its time that we believe God for a more permanent location. Please pray that God will provide the location and the finances. Pray about what God would have you give? I estimate we need to raise about $5000.00 to make the transition.

Florida Campus Pastor Shane Braucht to Speak in Enterprise

This coming Sunday Enterprise will host the campus pastor, Shane Braucht. Shane, Melody and Boaz are some of my favorite people on the planet. He will be speaking in our morning service. We are so excited that they will be making the trip to Enterprise. Pastor Justin and Shane will spend some time together in an attempt to make both campuses function with excellence. To create a place where people can meet Jesus! Everyone be sure to come...bring a friend...or an enemy. Just make sure you are there. Remember coffee and donuts at 10 am.

The Church Needs Some Help

I have a Friday post going into the weekend. Part of going to church is finding a place to serve within the fellowship. We have a handful that always seems to carry the load for others to enjoy.

For the past year or so Jim Mock has been in charge of setting up on Sundays, and he liked to do things himself...he really never built a team. Since Jim has moved on that burden has fallen on those who are already doing plenty.

Therefore, we need men, women and teens that can show up at 8 am to set up tables and chairs. We also need you to stay a few minutes after service to reset the tables and chairs for the restraunt. This is alot of work and we really need everyones involvement. Hope to see you there.

Changes: One Good One

A few months ago Justin and I went to the Unleashed conference hosted by New Spring Church in Anderson, SC. I really went there to sit back listen and implement as little as possible because I was wore out spiritually. It was a great conference. Perry Noble and his staff are very good hosts.

I remember walking in and a greeter asked where we were from...she turned around and at the top of her lungs started screaming "Enterprise, Alabama in the house." I was embarassed! I did not want the attention...they did nothing wrong. Just not looking to have everyone stare at the two of us representing Enterprise, AL.

The messages were edgey as expected, and the break out sessions were so-so. We went to the second break out session together. That session provided us the one thing that we brought back to Enterprise knowing we had to implement it.

We have started doing a pre-service walk through. Man has it been something we needed. Every Sunday, once the chairs and sound equipment is set up, we do a walk through of our entire service...from the count down to the you are free to go. To be honest...I was ticked the first time we did it because the leadership team was late...lethargic...whatever....it did not go well...BUT THE SERVICE DID!

Over the past month Justin has diligently reminded the team that we are trying to create a place where people can meet Jesus and for that to happen we need as few of distractions as possible. I have to say this is one of the largest steps in the area of excellence we have taken in the nine years I have been pastoring in Enterprise.

There was so much disorganization, back woods attitudes, and the like that I was fed up with it all. We didn't even know who to give the mic to...and the final straw was when our last guest speaker wasn't even given a microphone. Sometimes I wouldn't have my outline to Justin on time. The praise team was fighting within. To many things that made us look sloppy. Ministry team leaders coming in late and not giving a rip. Well, I am here to tell you I am seeing those things slip away and I love it.

Brad Shroades Sober Over A Year

I have meant to put this up sooner...but my family wanted me to blog that Brad has been sober for over a year....if you get a chance mail him a note of encouragement.

Brad Shroades
105 Harrison Street
Newell, WV 26050

Shout Out to Justin Swasey!

Rarely does a pastor have the joy of doing life with someone as awesome as Justin Swasey! He has bought in to the vision of seeing people come to Christ...this guy is passionate about Jesus.

I love and appreciate Justin for his constant encouragement. There have been very few people come to my rescue in nearly 20 years of ministry...especially those times I've just wanted to quit. He has been a great friend and confidant. Every pastor needs a Justin Swasey.

I love and appreciate your humble spirit, wisdom and love for the church. You are a great man of God!

Use this blog to let Justin know how much you love him!!!