>>It Makes My Heart Smile

It is really unbelievable how fast the year passed by for us here at NSC. When God enabled us to take the monumental step of launching the first service on April 16, we knew the rest of the year was going to be fast- paced. What an honor to be a part of such a fresh move of God. I have had some incredible years of ministry and have seen some pretty incredible things happen in God's work. However, there is nothing in all my years of ministry that compares to the experience of this work. It is so fulfilling to see God at work and moving in the hearts and lives of people. It makes my heart smile to see people each week pull onto the gravel parking lot of what used to be a trailer manufacturing facility, to attend worship. It makes my heart smile each time a person steps into the (cattle watering trough) baptismal pool to follow Christ in baptism. It makes my heart smile to see how people have such a willingness to be a part of what God is doing. It makes my heart smile as the different ministries are developing at NSC. It makes my heart smile to know that there is a freedom to worship, serve, share, dream, mature, and fellowship together. It makes my heart smile as we envision the next step. It makes my heart smile to see people interested and involved in missions. It makes my heart smile to actually begin to know some of the names of the people attending. It makes my heart smile to see new people each week. It makes my heart smile to have a leadership team committed to the vision God has given us. It makes my heart smile to see so many willing volunteers give so much of themselves to the cause of Christ. It makes my heart smile to know that even though we are not perfect, people are willing to come and feel a part. God has given us a challenge and task to make a difference in this community, county, and region. Our heart smiles because of all the ways God blesses us, and for all these things I am thankful. More than our own satisfaction, I pray that we please God in all that we do this coming year. I am looking forward to what God has in store for us this year, and I feel honored to share this time with those who are a part of NorthStar Church.

>>He Was Born Under A Christmas Star

Can you believe it is Christmas time already? Me either! It seems like just yesterday we were going to the parties, attending the programs, and exchanging gifts. I have often said everyday is Christmas for the believer. We should celebrate Christ's birth each and every day. While I enjoy this season and all the extra things that we do, I must never lose sight of the real reason we have Christmas. Have you read the story lately? The Christmas story is incredible!After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem 2 and asked, "Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star in the east and have come to worship him." 3 When King Herod heard this he was disturbed, and all Jerusalem with him. 4 When he had called together all the people's chief priests and teachers of the law, he asked them where the Christ was to be born. 5 "In Bethlehem in Judea," they replied, "for this is what the prophet has written: 6 "'But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for out of you will come a ruler who will be the shepherd of my people Israel.'" 7 Then Herod called the Magi secretly and found out from them the exact time the star had appeared. 8 He sent them to Bethlehem and said, "Go and make a careful search for the child. As soon as you find him, report to me, so that I too may go and worship him." 9 After they had heard the king, they went on their way, and the star they had seen in the east went ahead of them until it stopped over the place where the child was. 10 When they saw the star, they were overjoyed. 11 On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold and of incense and of myrrh. 12 And having been warned in a dream not to go back to Herod, they returned to their country by another route. Matthew 2:1-12 (NIV)I told you it was incredible!As we prepare for all the things that we will be doing this Christmas let us be sure to celebrate the real reason for Christmas.

>>Six Months Later...

I have a vision! I have a dream! Not the kind of vision some might think where you hear voices, levitate, walk through space, move through time surrounded by fog or smoke. In fact, I have never had one of those and when I do, call me crazy, but I will have lost it totally! The kind of vision and dream I have is seeing beyond the horizon to the heart of God. Through prayer, study, seeking the will of God, worship, and spiritual intuitiveness
I have envisioned what God wants to happen in and through NorthStar. This vision began developing a few years ago and began to grow stronger and clearer just over a year ago. I see God's hand in my life over the past several years preparing me for the vision He was giving me. He used people , His Word, my studies, and life experiences to shape this vision. Okay, Okay already! What is your vision?My vision is for there to be a church that functions much like the church in the New Testament. The N.T. church had a passion to come together to worship in a way that was relevant to their culture. I doubt seriously they had a pipe organ or an electric guitar. They just came with a strong sense of urgency to worship the creator of the universe. Some say as they came to church there would be over twenty thousand worshipers in the 10:30 (not sure what time) morning service at the temple courts (worship center). They would then break up into small groups, go to individual homes, eat, fellowship, study, serve, worship, and reach out to others together. Incredible! This is what we are doing at NorthStar!My vision goes beyond the warehouse that we are using as a church building.
I envision that in the years to come, God is going to provide us with property where we can take root and grow to an even greater level doing even greater things for the Lord.
I envision while we are still in our current building, expanding to additional services to accommodate the numbers of people that will be coming. As I teach in Discovering NorthStar 101, we can not let the shoe tell the foot how big it can get.
I envision the people of NSC inviting their friends, family, neighbors, and coworkers to be a part of what God is doing here.I envision multitudes of people plugging into small groups that will meet literally around the region. Small groups are where people can grow deeper with God while growing closer with one another. There is no way for everyone to know everybody, especially in a church the size of NorthStar. Therefore, it is important to get into a small group to experience the kind of fellowship God created us to enjoy.
I envision people driving on to our campus and actually sensing the presence of God through the smiles of the parking lot team, greeters, and leadership.
I envision people meeting Christ and connecting in the body of Christ. I envision people following Christ in obedience and connecting with His plan for their lives.
I envision NSC being a world mission strategy center with people going out at different times of the year to do home and foreign missions.
I envision NSC being a ministry focused church and actually being the hands and feet of Christ in our community, city, and county.
I envision NSC being a church planting resource center, and I envision NSC planting her first church by the end of our third year.
I envision students growing and reaching their friends for Christ.
I envision college and career ministry reaching people on campus and in the work place.I envision a children’s ministry that is cutting edge and life-changing, causing parents to say "I want my child a part of this ministry."
I envision worship that uses creativity and relevance to reach not only this generation but the ones to come. These things are not just wishful thinking or dreams that are beyond reality. In fact, we are already seeing these things come to pass in all of these areas. With the commitment to excellence, we are already seeing lives changed and people added to the kingdom. Often people ask me, "Would you have dreamed a year ago there would be so many people coming to NSC, etc?" Some are surprised by my answer. I did dream this! I believe the next six months are going to be even greater than the first. I am so glad you are a part of this vision, and I am thankful for the way God is using you to grow the kingdom for His glory.

>>His Love Is Indescribable

His Love Is Indescribable
Wow! These past weeks have been indescribable as we have seen new people present each Sunday and as God has done an incredible work among us. I am so thankful to be part of such a move of God in our area. Someone asked me the other day: "Could you have imagined this happening nine months ago?" The answer is: I have not only imagined what is happening now but even beyond. That is why I feel so amazed and blessed at seeing these things of God unfold. In reality, it is even greater than I imagined, and the days to come are going to be awesome as God continues to do His work in and through His people. It is one thing to envision there being a church like NorthStar, but it is another thing to actually see in come to fruition. Rick Warren said: "Dream big dreams." I have a dream of God using NorthStar Church as a regional center of worship, evangelism, missions, fellowship, discipleship, ministry and church planting.
Adding To Our Building
The 3600 square feet addition to our building is going well. We are adding a new children's worship room almost twice the size of our existing one. Along with this we are adding two smaller rooms adjoining this room that will be used for small group time. In addition to these rooms we are adding two preschool rooms for our growing needs. This past week we were blessed to add our kitchenette and wash area for our baby room. Please pray for God to supply our needs as we prepare to buy the tables and chairs needed for these rooms.
Lives Are Being Changed!
We are seeing homes mended, souls saved, commitments deepened, hurts healed, excitement restored, lives yielded, maturity increased, ministries begun, evangelism implemented, worship flourishing, and fellowship among His people. Wow! Isn't God great! We baptized five in August and will be baptizing later this month. Someone said to me the other day: “You guys are doing a great job." The reality is that God is moving and working. This is all about Him, and we are simply trying to be willing for Him to use us in any possible way. No, we are not perfect, but we serve someone who is perfect and we are trying to be sensitive to His will and way. To God be the glory. Paul said: "to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.” Ephesians 3:21 (NIV)
Small Groups Have Launched.
With great enthusiasm our small group launch was super. Already our small groups are growing, and people are joining each week. I really feel that small groups are going to take our church to another level. In each of our small groups, we are emphasizing and living out the five purposes of our church. These purposes are: Worship, Fellowship, Discipleship, Ministry, and Evangelism. It is going to be astonishing as we see the impact our small groups will have in the days to come. It is in the small group setting we grow closer to one another and we are able to minister to the needs of one another better. If you have not joined a small group, there is one just for you.
In Closing.
Please take a moment today to remember the families of those who lost loved ones during the great national tragedy of September 11 , 2001. Please pray for peace and pray that the love of Jesus Christ could be seen daily through your life. Please pray that we could make a difference in this world through our relationship with Jesus Christ.
Thank You
I want to thank you for the part you are playing in seeing the Kingdom of God expand in and through NorthStar Church. Thank you for giving your time, resources, ideas, money, willingness, prayer support ,and encouragement as God grows this church. Thank you.