Amazing Volunteers

I think I serve with the greatest group of volunteers in the world.

Having made such a bold statement let me now explain.

Four weeks ago I announced in our Sunday morning services, both of them, that we would be starting a third service on Sunday evening in just four weeks. I talked to our church about the amazing growth that we have seen in the past three months and how I believe that God was prompting us to make room for even more people to come Find and Experience God's Best for Their Life. So we decided to add the third service on Sunday evening at 6pm.

Last night was the first Third Service and all I have to say is, "Wow!"

The crowd was great. The service was good (a couple of minor technical things like me not turning on my mic). But the "wow factor" came from the volunteers.

I actually arrived a little later than I wanted to and when I got to the building, there were already a ton of volunteers in place. There was a buzz in the air. Everyone was excited. Everyone was anticipating something awesome. Everyone was ready to serve.

And here is something even better: Most of these volunteers were NEW volunteers. They were not already serving in our church! In just four short weeks (actually three weeks) we were able to completely staff a third service and all of our childrens classes! In fact, we had so many sign up to volunteer that we had to put some of them on an every-other-week rotation.

So I'll say it again: I serve with the greatest group of volunteers in the world.

So What?

Two things:

1. If you are not serving, your church needs you. Sign up and show up.

2. If you are leading volunteers, make sure you equip them and encourage them. They will make you a hero or a zero.

Christmas Eve Excitement

I am so excited about Christmas Eve this year I can hardly stand it.

I'm not sure why I am so excited this year as opposed to any other year. Maybe it's because we are doing one huge service at the new Center at Bishop Park. It has been a lot of fun getting everything ready for the new venue. All of the sound and lights and things are coming in tomorrow and we will start getting things set up. It's going to be cool.

Maybe it's because the message God has laid on my heart just seems to be something that He is really going to use to change lives. There have been so many great comments about this series we are doing, LIGHT, and I think that finishing it on Christmas Eve is going to be really awesome.

Maybe I am so excited because of all that I have seen God doing over the last few months. It just seems to me that so many people are hurting and searching right now. I have had the awesome privilege of talking to so many people lately who are hungry for LIGHT and to see so many respond to it has really been exciting.

Maybe I'm excited because I just feel like I am doing what God put me here to do. Please don't misunderstand. I'm not being boastful or anything. I just really have a sense of purpose and fulfillment like I have not had in some time. God is doing some cool stuff right now and I am excited to be a small part of it.

Actually, I think I know what it is.

It is all of the things I mentioned above and more. It just seems that when God is doing His thing and we are walking with Him and experiencing His Best in our life, it's exciting. Life really is a BLAST when you are walking in the LIGHT. It's like Jesus said in John 8:12, "Jesus spoke to the people once more and said, 'I am the light of the world. If you follow me, you won’t have to walk in darkness, because you will have the light that leads to life.'"(NLT)

So What?

If all the stuff that comes along with the holidays has gotten you down, I encourage you to Look for the LIGHT. The LIGHT will get you out of the funk and into the fun that only comes from walking with Jesus. He wants your life to be exciting. He is excited about you. Allow Him to put that excitement into your heart right now.

Merry Christmas!