e-news for week of 1/20/08 - 1/26/08

I departed for India with tears not wanting to go – I came back from India with tears from the incredible experience of the movement of God.

I’m one of those huge God fans. The word origin for fan comes from “fanatic.” I’m one of those and I’m okay with that. I am just one of those people who just flat out loves God. I’m not ashamed to say it, write about it, speak it publicly, and live it. I love God. I love what He did for us through His son Jesus Christ. Thus, when I spot up close and very real demonstrations of God’s actions I’m kind of like John Belushi in Blues Brothers turning cartwheels down the aisle. And though you’ll hear of some great encounters of the movement of God in India – I get equally revved up about what God is doing at Forum. As I was in India – I want to thank Jared for doing a superb job sharing God’s word with the body. He’s an excellent minister and I’m thrilled he’s on our team here locally.

This past Sunday at our annual congregation meeting the leadership laid out one of the big decisions that you’ll hear more and more about over the next year – specifically that we will launch a second worship site (then – Lord willing -a third, a fourth, a 20th…until Columbia and Mid-MO are connected to Jesus.) Trust me when I say as we get the details as to when, where, why, and how – you will get that information. Right now – here’s what we need: prayer. I’m thrilled that we’ve already had people stop into the office this week to volunteer to do whatever is needed for this to occur. This (2008) will be a year of heightened training, recruitment, financial challenge, preparation, and then in early 2009, launch.

Friends, this is a movement of God – and I’m charged. As I was sharing this vision with Ajai Lall there in India – he committed to pray for this effort. We have a real spiritual need in our town and as a church we will aggressively go after people who aren’t connected to God.

Are you on board?

Are you going to go after it?

I sure hope so. I know I am – and I also know I’m thrilled to be a part of a forward thinking church that wants to connect people to Jesus.

As a church we want to welcome these people and families who are saying, “We’re making Forum our place of connection and mission.”

Men – this Saturday morning at 7:45 is our first Men of Impact worship time together. I’m planning on bringing my oldest son with me if I can kick him out of bed in time – because Jeremy gave me a preview of what he’s going to be sharing and I’m excited about this “iron sharpening iron” kind of day.

Single moms – there’s a great ministry opportunity beginning this Sunday… Daybreak will meet in Room 216 at 9:45 a.m. This class is devoted to helping single mothers and their children by offering both emotional and spiritual support while teaching practical living skills during an eight-week series. If you know of anyone who would benefit from this – would you please invite them to get involved?

This Sunday we continue in the seismic church series out of Acts 6 and 7 with Avalanche. Gang, there’s no stopping this movement of God. People can try, Satan can try, governments can try to thwart but bottom line: this is God’s earth and you are His creation and He’s actively pursuing you. That’s the good news. Can’t wait to share it this Sunday – see you then,

Scott