This weekend kicks off a 2 week "blessing-of-the-Mom's" event at Freedom Valley York Road.
This weekend we will be washing cars for single Mom's before, during, and after all services here at York Road. Because I believe if Jesus were walking the streets of Gettysburg, Pennsylvania these days, He would be more likely to wash a car than to wash feet. We're gonna be helping Him do it!
Next weekend is a full court press to bless Mom's. Free coffee for Mom's, a gift at the door (they can shop for and pick their own). Single Mom's will also get a $10 gift card.
If you know a Mom, bring her! Guest Mom's also get the usual $5 gift card from Guest Central.
Thursday, April 29, 2010
Saturday, April 24, 2010
sex talk out takes, experiences, and left overs
I read somewhere that most parents say they had the sex talk with their kids. Most kids say they never had the sex talk with their parents. Interesting discrepancy.
I would guess that Pastors are the same- believe they have taught their people about sex better or more than they really have.
So this weekend we are working at it, at our sites and services. And we are trying to do it in a positive way, talking about how God provided for great sex through marriage, about how men and women should consider it their responsibility to meet each others needs. AND, about how singleness is a gift, not an abnormality or a problem.
I prayed a lot of prayers afterward, with people who have huge regrets concerning their sex lives, or are struggling through a spouse's affair, or cannot seem to get functional again after someone committed a sexual crime on them. And quite a few who messed up sexually but have a very tough time admitting it.
Cause when sex is bad, it can destroy a life. When it is good, it literally adds years to a life. And if you follow the societal shtick about sex these days, you are statistically certain to get very little of it, and regret what you got deeply.
We need a sexual life swap- a whole new way of thinking. The Bible has it, and with the grace of God, I hope to try to set some people free this week.
I would guess that Pastors are the same- believe they have taught their people about sex better or more than they really have.
So this weekend we are working at it, at our sites and services. And we are trying to do it in a positive way, talking about how God provided for great sex through marriage, about how men and women should consider it their responsibility to meet each others needs. AND, about how singleness is a gift, not an abnormality or a problem.
I prayed a lot of prayers afterward, with people who have huge regrets concerning their sex lives, or are struggling through a spouse's affair, or cannot seem to get functional again after someone committed a sexual crime on them. And quite a few who messed up sexually but have a very tough time admitting it.
Cause when sex is bad, it can destroy a life. When it is good, it literally adds years to a life. And if you follow the societal shtick about sex these days, you are statistically certain to get very little of it, and regret what you got deeply.
We need a sexual life swap- a whole new way of thinking. The Bible has it, and with the grace of God, I hope to try to set some people free this week.
Friday, April 23, 2010
Certain letters that I get, must be re-read often. This is one of those. It underscores the wonder of the "Life Swap" that happens when a person meets Jesus for the first time.
I have not asked for permission to print this, so some details have been slightly changed and the names blocked out so that I do not reveal someone's too personal stuff. But I treasure letters like this and wanted to share it with someone. God help us get more of these!
hi pastor Gerry
my name is *************. u might not recognize me but i have been to freedom valley 2 times with my fiance. I am writing to u about an experience i had about a week ago. Recently my great uncle passed away, god bless his soul, and i attended his funeral. His name is *********. but my other uncle is a preacher where the funeral was held. Now i have only been to church 3 times in my life, 1 time when i was a child for easter candy and 2 times at freedom valley.
i am as u said a few weeks ago, a watcher. i am giving it a shot and just come to listen right now to see what it is all about. But anyways back to my happening. i was sitting in the funeral service and towards the end the pastor was talking about how life can end in a flash and where u put yourself to be in heaven or hell. he had everybody bow their heads and he said a prayor. toward the end of the prayor he asked for the ones who wanted to change the ways they r and face the sight of being a sinner and come forward to be saved and join the quest toward heaven when time comes.
he asked for those people to raise their head... so as i was listening i decided to be curious and give it a shot and see what it is all about. i lived a very regretful life, trouble with law, drugs, just all the bad stuff i hate myself for mainly because i let all the ones i love and care about the most down. so i raised my head and looked at the pastor and then looked around, i was the only 1 with my head up.
i then looked back at the pastor and went into almost what seemed to be a tunnel vision, everything around the pastor was a blur except him and he had a light glow around him. so i looked at the window and around to focus on something else... i couldnt focus on anything it was all blurry. so i rubbed my eyes and looked around again... nothing but blur. i then looked back at the preacher and he was still glowing... every move he made it follow and as he looked at me finishing the prayor the glow grew brighter and made me feel warmer. to be honest it freaked me out a lil but i just cant picture or explain what it could have been.
so i talked to the 1 guy i work with he is going to school and classes to be a preacher, but i told him and he explained it as the bible says "that the scales have been wiped for my eyes" he was saying it is a way i was saved to be accept by god. now today as lindsae and i went to the storyu there is a bilboard by our house with a picture of jesus that reads "he lived to die"... before this happening it looked like an oil painting... today it looked like he was actually popping out like 3-d.I am letting u kno all this to see what your reaction is and what u think the situation is. the guy i work with was so excited and blessed that he started jumping up and down and praying. and whatever your reaction i will accept but i am just trying to be heard and find out what it is. Thank u for listening and hope to see u at church soon
Sincerely
******.
I have not asked for permission to print this, so some details have been slightly changed and the names blocked out so that I do not reveal someone's too personal stuff. But I treasure letters like this and wanted to share it with someone. God help us get more of these!
hi pastor Gerry
my name is *************. u might not recognize me but i have been to freedom valley 2 times with my fiance. I am writing to u about an experience i had about a week ago. Recently my great uncle passed away, god bless his soul, and i attended his funeral. His name is *********. but my other uncle is a preacher where the funeral was held. Now i have only been to church 3 times in my life, 1 time when i was a child for easter candy and 2 times at freedom valley.
i am as u said a few weeks ago, a watcher. i am giving it a shot and just come to listen right now to see what it is all about. But anyways back to my happening. i was sitting in the funeral service and towards the end the pastor was talking about how life can end in a flash and where u put yourself to be in heaven or hell. he had everybody bow their heads and he said a prayor. toward the end of the prayor he asked for the ones who wanted to change the ways they r and face the sight of being a sinner and come forward to be saved and join the quest toward heaven when time comes.
he asked for those people to raise their head... so as i was listening i decided to be curious and give it a shot and see what it is all about. i lived a very regretful life, trouble with law, drugs, just all the bad stuff i hate myself for mainly because i let all the ones i love and care about the most down. so i raised my head and looked at the pastor and then looked around, i was the only 1 with my head up.
i then looked back at the pastor and went into almost what seemed to be a tunnel vision, everything around the pastor was a blur except him and he had a light glow around him. so i looked at the window and around to focus on something else... i couldnt focus on anything it was all blurry. so i rubbed my eyes and looked around again... nothing but blur. i then looked back at the preacher and he was still glowing... every move he made it follow and as he looked at me finishing the prayor the glow grew brighter and made me feel warmer. to be honest it freaked me out a lil but i just cant picture or explain what it could have been.
so i talked to the 1 guy i work with he is going to school and classes to be a preacher, but i told him and he explained it as the bible says "that the scales have been wiped for my eyes" he was saying it is a way i was saved to be accept by god. now today as lindsae and i went to the storyu there is a bilboard by our house with a picture of jesus that reads "he lived to die"... before this happening it looked like an oil painting... today it looked like he was actually popping out like 3-d.I am letting u kno all this to see what your reaction is and what u think the situation is. the guy i work with was so excited and blessed that he started jumping up and down and praying. and whatever your reaction i will accept but i am just trying to be heard and find out what it is. Thank u for listening and hope to see u at church soon
Sincerely
******.
Thursday, April 22, 2010
Things to say in front of Jesus
In our Creating Outreach and Evangelism class this morning, Tom Rees opened by directing us to the Southern Baptists' report on the Great Commission. (here) It is sobering and challenging stuff.
Here are some findings: 83% of people in Northeast are lost. The population of these states (basically Pennsylvania and north) is 55 million. 83% of this population will be in Hell unless we do something. Currently, there is no growth in numbers of people in this area attending church, so it seems unlikely that we will reach them in my lifetime. They are likely to remain lost.
What will I say when I stand before Jesus, and we talk about the sad fact that in my lifetime, church attendance has slidden to far less than half the numbers that there were when I started ministry?
What will Pastor's say when they stand in front of the One who gave everything to get them to eternal life? What might be the top ten list of excuses that we mumble out to "Him with whom we have to do"?
1. It was too hard.
2. I didn't know what to do
3. I was busy doing church stuff
4. My church wasn't yet large enough to plant another one
5. Really, there are lost people in America?
6. I didn't have the money
7. My church needed me!
8. I tried to reach some, but I'm not very good at it.
9. That other church tried some stuff, but it was a joke.
10. My fellowship didn't tell me what to do!
I am sick to death of my own stupid excuses. Jesus gave it all, so the least I can do is give more, work harder, stop doing stupid religious stuff, and resolve to flounder my way toward some kind of progress.
Any body with me?
Here are some findings: 83% of people in Northeast are lost. The population of these states (basically Pennsylvania and north) is 55 million. 83% of this population will be in Hell unless we do something. Currently, there is no growth in numbers of people in this area attending church, so it seems unlikely that we will reach them in my lifetime. They are likely to remain lost.
What will I say when I stand before Jesus, and we talk about the sad fact that in my lifetime, church attendance has slidden to far less than half the numbers that there were when I started ministry?
What will Pastor's say when they stand in front of the One who gave everything to get them to eternal life? What might be the top ten list of excuses that we mumble out to "Him with whom we have to do"?
1. It was too hard.
2. I didn't know what to do
3. I was busy doing church stuff
4. My church wasn't yet large enough to plant another one
5. Really, there are lost people in America?
6. I didn't have the money
7. My church needed me!
8. I tried to reach some, but I'm not very good at it.
9. That other church tried some stuff, but it was a joke.
10. My fellowship didn't tell me what to do!
I am sick to death of my own stupid excuses. Jesus gave it all, so the least I can do is give more, work harder, stop doing stupid religious stuff, and resolve to flounder my way toward some kind of progress.
Any body with me?
Tuesday, April 20, 2010
from 3 sites to 8
I have a confession to make. I've been hiding some progress that God has given us. It just got easier not to talk about it for awhile, because I am tired of being told that I'm crazy, that is cannot be done, and that it will destroy me or destroy this church.
But I gotta give God proper credit for something He did and is doing.
This past Easter was a little disappointing in that I thought we would hit 2000 for the first time, in all of our sites and services. We didn't quite make it. We only got 1841. Which is wonderful and even incredible, but not quite what we had set our hearts on!
But there is another story that is also important to glorify God for. In the past 6 months, we have quietly gone from being a church of 3 sites (Red Lion, York Road Gettysburg, and South Hanover). to being a church of 8 sites! And there are more on the way!
So we are struggling with new benchmarks and new ways to delineate growth and be good shepherds of the flock God has given us. The God who put the book of Numbers in His Bible, obviously cares about these things so we should too. And this Easter, we are setting for ourselves new benchmarks for each of the sites and services. 1841 people in 8 sites.
Those sites now are York Road-1287, South Hanover-73, Red Lion-105, The Intersection-68, Tulsa-45, YW-23, House of our Messiah-40, Bedford-200-total 1841. Another important benchmark- 1631 are committed to being part of a small group!
But I gotta give God proper credit for something He did and is doing.
This past Easter was a little disappointing in that I thought we would hit 2000 for the first time, in all of our sites and services. We didn't quite make it. We only got 1841. Which is wonderful and even incredible, but not quite what we had set our hearts on!
But there is another story that is also important to glorify God for. In the past 6 months, we have quietly gone from being a church of 3 sites (Red Lion, York Road Gettysburg, and South Hanover). to being a church of 8 sites! And there are more on the way!
So we are struggling with new benchmarks and new ways to delineate growth and be good shepherds of the flock God has given us. The God who put the book of Numbers in His Bible, obviously cares about these things so we should too. And this Easter, we are setting for ourselves new benchmarks for each of the sites and services. 1841 people in 8 sites.
Those sites now are York Road-1287, South Hanover-73, Red Lion-105, The Intersection-68, Tulsa-45, YW-23, House of our Messiah-40, Bedford-200-total 1841. Another important benchmark- 1631 are committed to being part of a small group!
Saturday, April 17, 2010
Butwal, Nepal, will never be the same
Right now, a bunch of Pastors are sitting together to figure out how to take care of about 2000 decisions for Christ here in Butwal, Nepal.
What a wonderful problem! The options might include planting more churches, which generally happens if current churches get overwhelmed with follow up. But they are working on what has to be any Pastor's favorite problem ever.
The three day Butwal Signs and Wonders Festival is over. We asked God and believed for at least 1500 salvations, but ended up handing out all 2000 decision booklets that were provided by SOS, Johannes Amritzer's ministry. Now the churches get to figure out how to handle it all.
I think the number I heard was that hundreds got filled with the Holy Spirit, including many Pastors. Several hundred Pastors were trained in seminars. Many healings were documented, and I forget- maybe 70 (?) were delivered of evil spirits.
And I can see why Jeff Leake told me I would be permanently addicted to these events. It was breath-taking to me. I wept a lot as I watched hundreds stream into the Kingdom of God each night.
And then I felt something unexpected. Jealousy! I felt jealousy for my city! I want to see hundreds or thousands stream into the Kingdom (over three days) in Gettysburg! I want to see demons cast out by the score, and healings documented, and baptisms in the Holy Spirit, and ... Pastors sitting around trying to figure out what to do with all the harvest.
What would it take to do this? We were dreaming up some ideas... just to see if we could dream it. Like, how about if we planned a festival like this outdoors somewhere in the Gburg area. Maybe we could bring in some national recording artists to draw a crowd, then have Johannes preach. Maybe each night should be a different target crowd, (or like three events back to back). One might be like with the Jonas Brothers, to target the very young. Another night might be with Carrie Underwood to reach the Country music crowd. Maybe a Nascar night, or a Civil War Re-enactors night, or a Biker's thing, or ... I don't know. ... Creative types, help me!
If a way could be found to bring in hundreds or even thousands into The Kingdom, would we do it?
Could we NOT do it?
What a wonderful problem! The options might include planting more churches, which generally happens if current churches get overwhelmed with follow up. But they are working on what has to be any Pastor's favorite problem ever.
The three day Butwal Signs and Wonders Festival is over. We asked God and believed for at least 1500 salvations, but ended up handing out all 2000 decision booklets that were provided by SOS, Johannes Amritzer's ministry. Now the churches get to figure out how to handle it all.
I think the number I heard was that hundreds got filled with the Holy Spirit, including many Pastors. Several hundred Pastors were trained in seminars. Many healings were documented, and I forget- maybe 70 (?) were delivered of evil spirits.
And I can see why Jeff Leake told me I would be permanently addicted to these events. It was breath-taking to me. I wept a lot as I watched hundreds stream into the Kingdom of God each night.
And then I felt something unexpected. Jealousy! I felt jealousy for my city! I want to see hundreds or thousands stream into the Kingdom (over three days) in Gettysburg! I want to see demons cast out by the score, and healings documented, and baptisms in the Holy Spirit, and ... Pastors sitting around trying to figure out what to do with all the harvest.
What would it take to do this? We were dreaming up some ideas... just to see if we could dream it. Like, how about if we planned a festival like this outdoors somewhere in the Gburg area. Maybe we could bring in some national recording artists to draw a crowd, then have Johannes preach. Maybe each night should be a different target crowd, (or like three events back to back). One might be like with the Jonas Brothers, to target the very young. Another night might be with Carrie Underwood to reach the Country music crowd. Maybe a Nascar night, or a Civil War Re-enactors night, or a Biker's thing, or ... I don't know. ... Creative types, help me!
If a way could be found to bring in hundreds or even thousands into The Kingdom, would we do it?
Could we NOT do it?
Friday, April 16, 2010
only healthy, well planned, perfect babies wanted...
It's a beautiful thing when a healthy young couple plans carefully, saves money, and prepares well for a wonderful new child. Baby things are gathered, the financial cost is counted and prepared for, and the extended family is carefully informed.
But for whatever reason(s), babies don't often come that way. Some come unplanned, even to the couple carefully! Some come when many things are not right and maybe even the parents did not prepare even a healthy parental relationship (marriage) for the new child to be born into.
But however they come, all children are a heritage of the Lord, and a blessing. As believers we celebrate the little life and rejoice that God sent them into the world to care for it and make it better, as Genesis tells us we were created to do. As we know from simple life experience that many who were "unplanned" by the parents, are nevertheless huge blessing to their world!
Maybe churches are like that too. Some are well-planned, beautifully orchestrated, and well put together. Baby things are gathered, and finances are well prepared. The extended family is carefully informed and everyone is happy about the birth. Right?
But then there are those churches that came about the wrong way. Not so well planned, without enough finances and a shock to many people around them.
Yet God uses them.
Acts has all kinds of examples. The Bereans studied, the Jerusalem church exploded, and so many others seemed so well done. Then along comes Ephesus, born out of a riot, lies about the founding Pastor, and all kinds of ugliness.
But each one, however they come, have potential to become a house of great repute, and a recycling station for hurting lives. They are God's idea to rock the world, and create new disciples.
Outreach magazine last month quoted Ed Stetzer: The American Church is on birth control". It is unnatural and wrong, Stetzer went on say, that most church do not procreate. He said they seem to worry too much about doing it right and making every effort a success.
I like his way of thinking. Maybe we should be more desperate about being barren, than we are about doing everything perfect.
But for whatever reason(s), babies don't often come that way. Some come unplanned, even to the couple carefully! Some come when many things are not right and maybe even the parents did not prepare even a healthy parental relationship (marriage) for the new child to be born into.
But however they come, all children are a heritage of the Lord, and a blessing. As believers we celebrate the little life and rejoice that God sent them into the world to care for it and make it better, as Genesis tells us we were created to do. As we know from simple life experience that many who were "unplanned" by the parents, are nevertheless huge blessing to their world!
Maybe churches are like that too. Some are well-planned, beautifully orchestrated, and well put together. Baby things are gathered, and finances are well prepared. The extended family is carefully informed and everyone is happy about the birth. Right?
But then there are those churches that came about the wrong way. Not so well planned, without enough finances and a shock to many people around them.
Yet God uses them.
Acts has all kinds of examples. The Bereans studied, the Jerusalem church exploded, and so many others seemed so well done. Then along comes Ephesus, born out of a riot, lies about the founding Pastor, and all kinds of ugliness.
But each one, however they come, have potential to become a house of great repute, and a recycling station for hurting lives. They are God's idea to rock the world, and create new disciples.
Outreach magazine last month quoted Ed Stetzer: The American Church is on birth control". It is unnatural and wrong, Stetzer went on say, that most church do not procreate. He said they seem to worry too much about doing it right and making every effort a success.
I like his way of thinking. Maybe we should be more desperate about being barren, than we are about doing everything perfect.
Thursday, April 15, 2010
my first Festival with Johannes
Last night I participated with my first SOS festival with Johannes. It was the moving experience that I expected.
We arrived at the Festival site around 4pm to a crowd of thousands. Local choirs and worship leaders were leading the pumped crowd in worship. We were told that people started bringing their sick loved ones for healing as early as 10 am! Temperatures were around 100 sweltering degrees, and almost no shade to be found.
Off to the side, 4 generators were grinding away, producing electricity for sounds systems. There was a stage setup, and a tent where troubled souls were being taken for extended deliverance prayers. It was over full with Pastors helping people as fast as they could.
Johannes preached a powerful salvations message, while dealing with spotty sound systems, an interpreter that was really struggling to keep up, and endless other issues going on all around him. He stayed amazingly focused and incredibly in his element. You can really feel that he was born for this AND he that he has carefully developed and protected his gift. It really is awesome to see that in anybody.
But above and beyond all that, I felt the Holy Spirit's dancing, singing, and crying with sheer joy! There was joy over eternal life about to be found in the hearts of hundreds of people that He had brought. I felt Him tremble with excitement that hundreds would find eternal life tonight, and be healed. It is such an incredible, indescribable, powerful joy to feel Him in that kind of mood. I am a complete addict to that experience.
And it came. First salvations- hundreds of them. As Johannes gave the altar call, hundreds of people with tears streaming down their faces, came. And the healings. I was too busy working with people to get it all, but I saw a lady pushing her own wheelchair home, and heard stories of blind eyes being opened. The atmosphere was charged with the sense that any crazy good thing might happen.
This city has never had a festival like this before. It is an unreached city- or it was before this week. But after this week, thousands more will know Jesus and we will get to know them in eternity. Tonight, thousands more will gather- probably double the 4500 that might have been there last night. The next night might double again.
The Apostle Paul said we should be addicted to stuff like this- to good works.
Done.
We arrived at the Festival site around 4pm to a crowd of thousands. Local choirs and worship leaders were leading the pumped crowd in worship. We were told that people started bringing their sick loved ones for healing as early as 10 am! Temperatures were around 100 sweltering degrees, and almost no shade to be found.
Off to the side, 4 generators were grinding away, producing electricity for sounds systems. There was a stage setup, and a tent where troubled souls were being taken for extended deliverance prayers. It was over full with Pastors helping people as fast as they could.
Johannes preached a powerful salvations message, while dealing with spotty sound systems, an interpreter that was really struggling to keep up, and endless other issues going on all around him. He stayed amazingly focused and incredibly in his element. You can really feel that he was born for this AND he that he has carefully developed and protected his gift. It really is awesome to see that in anybody.
But above and beyond all that, I felt the Holy Spirit's dancing, singing, and crying with sheer joy! There was joy over eternal life about to be found in the hearts of hundreds of people that He had brought. I felt Him tremble with excitement that hundreds would find eternal life tonight, and be healed. It is such an incredible, indescribable, powerful joy to feel Him in that kind of mood. I am a complete addict to that experience.
And it came. First salvations- hundreds of them. As Johannes gave the altar call, hundreds of people with tears streaming down their faces, came. And the healings. I was too busy working with people to get it all, but I saw a lady pushing her own wheelchair home, and heard stories of blind eyes being opened. The atmosphere was charged with the sense that any crazy good thing might happen.
This city has never had a festival like this before. It is an unreached city- or it was before this week. But after this week, thousands more will know Jesus and we will get to know them in eternity. Tonight, thousands more will gather- probably double the 4500 that might have been there last night. The next night might double again.
The Apostle Paul said we should be addicted to stuff like this- to good works.
Done.
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