13 weeks

In thirteen weeks we will be entering our new place of worship. Pumped, oh yea! It has been an incredible journey as we have seen hundreds of volunteers work tirelessly on this project. It has been estimated that we, along with hundreds of volunteers outside our church, have saved the church over a half a million dollars by doing the work ourselves.  I stand in awe of so many who are so willing. Every nail driven, mud spread, paint applied, insulation installed, tile laid, grid placed, floor swept, room cleaned, wire run, light installed, pipe jointed, door hung, jam leveled, unit installed, wall sanded, supplies picked up, truck unloaded, carpet laid, wall sprayed, job completed has been for the glory of God. Lives will be changed in this building. All the glory goes to the One who called us to do the work.  The people heard, obeyed, followed, gave and trusted.

There is still more work to do but with His help, we will make it and it will be great.  We must remember that it is not about a building but a Savior. As my friend Lemuel said: "Buildings don't go to Heaven, People do."  The reason we have worked for almost a year and a half is for His purpose and His Glory.  It won’t be long now!!!!

3 Services Rocked The House!

I know God is doing the work here because we can't do this ourselves.  Just a couple of weeks ago we celebrated our 5th anniversary at NSC. It seems like just yesterday we began with one morning service. (April 16, 2006)  It was awesome with 356 in attendance.  On May 8, 2011, we launched our 3rd morning service with 735 in attendance. We were ecstatic. I will have to be honest, I was on pins and needles just like on our first Sunday. It wasn't because I did not think it would work or that it was not a God thing.  I knew God led us to this step and that He was going to do something great. It was because I could not wait to see how God was going to work on that launch day. I was so pumped and excited.  It was awesome!  I am so thankful for all our volunteers who work so tirelessly each weekend to do the ministry He has called them to do. I am also so thankful for the countless numbers of people inviting others to attend our weekend services.  They are awesome.  I better go for now, I am about to work at our new  building with more great volunteers.

Easter 2011

I am so excited, as I write this blog, knowing what God has done in our services this weekend. It began weeks ago as people were praying for a great outpouring of God in our church.  He had already been doing some pretty Radical things in and through the people at NorthStar.  The final count is around 65 people who gave their hearts to Christ. These not only raised their hands indicating they prayed to receive Christ but they also gave us their names so we could follow up with them. We praise God for still saving the hearts of men.  Every aspect of our services rocked for Christ during these four services. From the parking lot to the seats, from the babies to the teens, from the café to the compass center, from the stage to the door, the presence of God was inevitable.  I am so thankful for the 100 plus volunteers who serve so faithfully at the Star. You guys rock!!

Radical

Someone asked me a few days ago, "What are you all doing to see such success at NorthStar?"  My answer is, "I don't know."  All I know to say is that God is moving and building His church here. It has been and continues to be an incredible ride.  Everyone here works hard and we strive for excellence, but we fully realize it is not us that is making a difference. We know the difference is being made by God.  He is doing things we could not possibly do.  The lives that are being changed are being changed by Him.  We  know it is by His grace that change comes.  Our attendance has been incredible and the weekend services are extraordinary. I see how God, these last few weeks, is challenging His people to be radical. It is exciting to see His people take Him up on His challenge.  Radical things are happening at NSC and I am so thankful to be a part. I can’t wait to see what God is going to do this week!