Barefoot Community Church

Christy and I had an awesome time with Clay and Kim Nesmith.  They are two great people leading a great church. Barefoot is not even 3 years old and running almost 1000 people!  They are really reaching people who are far from God. I know God is going to do incredible things through this church. They have all the right stuff!!!

Every sunday evening after the service they do a  sunday “Wrap up” video podcast.  Clay must have been short on good ideas to have asked Christy and I to be on it… But it was fun. You can check it out here on clays blog. 

Here are some take aways from our weekend:

Believe Big—God loves people who trust totally in him

God loves to use Ordinary People

Give generously–Barefoot puts on a full blown breakfast for both morning services

Location, Location, Location–pick the most accessible spot to put your church. Barefoot has the most amazing facility in the best location!

Clay you and your staff are a cut above!  Thanks for your gracious hospitality while we were with you. I can’t wait to get together again!

I forgot to mention that Barefoot is in Myrtle Beach SC.  Yeah I know you think that we played the whole time that we were there—and you’re right. We had a great time.  We went to the movies and saw Iron Man, jogged on the beach, and watched millions of bikers driving up and down the road (it was bike week). Christy and I couldn’t help but rent a bike and get out on the road. Check out the pic…

A Great Mothers day.

The kids and I got up this morning and made Christy the best breakfast ever then went to Mountain Lake’s west campus. It was a great service–good enough to make Christy cry.  Then we went to lunch and played at the park.  Later the girls gave mom their version of a spa day while JD and I mowed grass. To top it all off, we sent her off to get a pedicure while we played and then had dinner.

Christy we love you and couldn’t exist without you. There isn’t anyone in the world that I would want to be my wife and the mother of our children.

 We are grateful to God for you!!!!!!

 

 

Everything is bigger in TEXAS

I’m in Austin TX today with Paul Peterson at a Church Planters Round table with some really sharp people.  Today we will have opportunity to continue to learn and develop partnerships. 
We fly back to the ATL tonight late and tomorrow my wife has me ropped in a garage sale.  My most favorite thing to do!?!?!?

Next weekend Christy and I will have a great opportunity to meet the pastor and staff at Barefoot Community church in Myrtle Beach.  Clay Nesmith is the pastor there. A real down to earth guy with a heart for God and people.

Natural Development

I heard Andy Stanley recently at the Orange conference and he had some great stuff to say about discipleship. Basically he talked about the question all churches ask:  How do you help people grow to maturity in Christ??  He said the goal is to help people become “Self Feeders”.

Making Disciples should be natural–just ask anyone there testimony and you will always find the same 5 ingredients. In all models of Discipleship and in every spiritual growth story here is what you find…

1.  Practical teaching

2. Providential Relationships

3. Private Disciplines

4. Pivotal Circumstances

5. Personal Ministry

So if maturity is getting to a place where your able to feed yourself—then as you put together your system or program of discipleship it should fan the flame in these areas. This also is very helpful if your leading a small group to know what to look for and how to encourage people as you see them somewhere in this process.

Amazing Trip to Bay Area Fellowship

Christy and I just got back from Texas. We flew into San Antonio, then drove down to Corpus Christi to check out Bay Area Fellowship. We were treated like royalty by Paul & Teri Schultz and Bil & Jessica Cornelius.  They are awesome people.  I was really blown away by the investment they made in us.  It’s great to hang out with guys who love Jesus and model it well! They really do inspire you to Go Big.

Bay Area dreams BIG and reaches the masses. Their new facility rocks. I loved the people and the excitement. Church was so fun–it made you want go back!

Here are few take aways from Bil and Paul:

Humility & Loyalty rule

Keep everything simple

Add a “0″ to your vision

Tap local talent

Enjoy ministry/life at every stage

Keep the atmosphere upbeat (you’ve never seen a staff laugh so much)

Use your staff/leadership to create culture in worship service

Be a “faith pirate”

 

 

 

 

I’m back

Yes I know I have not blogged for a while…. Everybody is busting my chops. “If your going to be a real blogger you’ve got to get serious about it. Blog more often, put in more pictures, say something relevant”. 

So here it is for today.

I’m in Orlando with the Mountain Lake team getting geared up for the Xponential conference.  Looking forward to learning some good stuff, hearing from God and meeting up with some friends.

We ate an early dinner and are getting ready to go for a jog.  All of us. Shawn Lovejoy, David Putman, Paul Peterson and myself.  I got news for them—-Everybody is going down!!

Hopefully I’ll be back again someday soon to say something relevant…

Ed Hindson Update.

Thanks to all of you who have been praying…. He had a great day today!!  His Dr. said that his energy is coming back and that he is making some progress.  His liver is showing some signs of recovery and he is starting to breath better.

Here are some specific things to pray for:

1. Pray for all his organs to recover

2. Pray for all the infection to be completely gone

3. Pray for rest of the family (they have been in the hospital day and night)

4. Pray that God will use Dr. H. to continue to reach people with the message of Jesus!
The family has been overwhelmed with your love and prayers.

Thanks so much!

Easter Shout outs!

You don’t have to read very far before you see story after story of churches reaching so many people this year.  Big growth and life change was in every story that I read. I am excited for so many of my friends from Shawn Lovejoy at Mountain Lake Church, Tadd Grandstaff at Pineridge, to Perry Noble at NewSpring, Clay Nesmith at Barefoot Community, Eric Taylor at Journey Church and Michael L at Oak Leaf. I was also thrilled to hear that many churches in Columbus, GA doubled their size.  God is awesome. He is in the buisness of using men and women to do his work and he loves seeing you give and risk it all for his GLORY.  Way to go….

Thanks

I was in Birmingham today meeting with Brian Jones-president of Details communications the best branding-marketing design company anywhere.

Brian,  I want to thank you for what you are doing for us. It’s not often in life that someone comes along and does something as gracious as you. You have encouraged us and we are grateful.

My Incredible Wife

Christy and I are rapidly approaching 15 years of marriage and I can honestly say that I love her now more than ever.  I still get excited when we go out on a date and have time with each other. I have seen her transform over the years into a Godly mature woman, mother and wife. If I was 23 again and I could line up all the girls in our college and pick one….I would still pick you. You are my girl and I love you with all my heart.

Thanks for being such a great role model for our kids and for me. Your AWESOME!!!