Meeting a need

So, last week, we began this project where we are adopting this local family who needs some help. The husband has cancer, the wife is due any day now with their second child, and both are out of work. What we're doing is collecting diapers, wipes and giftcards to give to them to help them out. I was blown away to see so many people bring diapers and wipes this past Sunday. I had a girl ask if she could run to Walmart right after the gathering and buy a gift card for the family. I can't wait to see what folks are going to do this week.

Here's the coolest part of what we're doing. Next Sunday we are going to give our ENTIRE offering to this family to help with medical bills and other expenses. ALL of it. If we take in $70, we'll give that. If we take in $70,000, we'll give that. I can't wait to see what people are going to do. And all of this in just our third week of having a Sunday gathering.

Thanks to everyone who has helped and who is going to help. There's still time to contribute.

Just gotta laugh

If you ever fly or travel in any way then you know of certain frustrations that you face at airports and hotels. This post by Seth just made me laugh. I love his questions.

On a completely different note, our second Sunday was pretty incredible. Not that it matters, but we had a 22% increase in attendance between our first and second Sundays. We had 22 new people. God has given us a bit of momentum. Our team is working extremely hard. They are great. We've got new people who want to know how they can get involved in serving and in Hub Groups. That's really exciting.

Next week we're going to give our entire offering away to a local family that needs some help. That should be exciting. We're also collecting diapers and wipes for this family. It was pretty cool seeing people bring diapers and wipes with them. I love being a church that's here to make Spartanburg a better place to live!

Bootleg news story

Melanie took things into her own hands to get our news story online (since Fox didn't post it). For those of you who were dying to see the story, which I know is all of you, here it is!

Book Giveaway Contest

So, do you want a free book? I've got two copies of the hot-off-the-press For Young Men Only: A guys guide to the alien gender, to give away here on my blog. We're going to have a little contest to see who deserves a copy. Here it is: Whoever has the most embarrassing teenage moment with a member of the opposite sex wins the book. Email your story here. Make sure you include your address. The funniest two stories (which will be judged by an expert panel of embarrassing-moment judges) will win the books. Also, I'll probably post the funniest stories on my blog, so please keep them PG. And you know you want to win, so don't be afraid to share that embarassing moment.

Jeff Foxworthy, the renowned, wise-redneck, says this about FYMO: Guys, in your hands you hold a treasure. Within this book young women honestly tell you what they want, need and desire. After nearly fifty years of trying to figure women out, even I learned a lot. For more info you can go to www.foryoungmenonly.com.

One liners

I was talking with someone on the phone yesterday, telling them about Hub City Church and realized that we have a lot of one liners that we use to describe us. I'm a K.I.S.S. person (Keep It Simple Stupid) because I think simple is memorable. So I've worked pretty hard to come up with some one-liners that describe us, speak about our values and create a common language and rallying cry for who we are and what we're about. Now I know you're dying to know what those one-liners are! Here you go:

• It's more than Sunday.
  
• Making disciples who make disciples.
• Creating a church that 20 and 30 somethings want to be a part of.
• No perfect people allowed.
• No one stands alone.
• We're passionate about Jesus, relationships and making Spartanburg a better place to live.

Now I know what some of you are thinking: I've heard some of these before. Duh. One-liners don't have to be original. They just need to be authentic and genuine to who you are and what you're about. These pretty accurately describe who we are and what we're about. I'd love to hear some one liners that describe your community, church or job. I might want to steal them!

Sermon intro

This is a hilarious sermon intro that Frankie made... and I know you're wondering if those tatoos are for real.

The Launch

Boy is my brain fried, but in a good way. Let's just say that right before we were supposed to start the sound was worse than bad. My mic wouldn't work right. It wasn't good. I was nervous. But then everything started to work, and everything worked fine. That's just one piece of good news.

We had 22 people fill out first time connection cards. That's flippin' AWESOME! There was an incredible buzz from people. We had a ton of kids. Loved meeting new families.

But here's the craziest thing of the morning. Two TV crews showed up. Fox Carolina and WSPA CBS showed up to interview me and some other folks as well as film the gathering. Whoa! I had no idea they were coming. We should be on the news 3 times tonight! I'll post links to the stories when they go live.

A big thanks to everyone who has prayed so hard for today. Please continue to pray. God is up to something and this was just the beginning. We want to give him the credit.

Article

We opened up the paper this AM and there I was, on a front page teaser. It's a little weird seeing your picture on the front page. The article's pretty good. You can check it out here. If you have a blog or facebook then post the article. It will make it more prominent on their website.

Amazed

I must say I've been amazed at people coming out of the woodwork wanting to help us out with getting a band and sound system for Sunday. Nothing's concrete yet, but it will be by the end of today. I love Kingdom mindedness. That's how I want to be. That's how I want to be with Hub City's stuff and people.

Now I've got to go buy some temporary tatoos. Why? Come on Sunday to find out.

Prayer for Spartanburg

Bob Roberts had this prayer on his blog. I've been praying it for Spartanburg: Father I pray for my city. I love my city. You love my city more. Guide my city. Pour your Spirit out over my city. Help us to love your city and serve your city like you want. I lift up all the mayors, the pastors, the businessmen, the teachers, the medical personnel, the artists, government leaders, the institutions, but more than all of those domains - I lift up the people to you. May they see Jesus in our lives as we serve them in the name of Jesus and share the Good news not as a sermon, but as a transforming story that is alive, ongoing, and inclusive.

New look

Our website got a new look in the wee hours of the morning. I think Frankie did a stand up, phenomenal job. You can check it out here.

Still waiting to find out about a band. We do have a worship leader... that's an improvement.

Struggling

Here's the deal. We launch our weekly worship gatherings this Sunday. Here's the problem: We don't have a band or sound system. We thought we did, but Murphy's Law and Satan's attacks have gotten in the way. I could really use your prayers. I need wisdom. We need a band with a sound system.

I can also tell that our team is under attack. Pray for God to protect us from distraction, discouragement and disunity. I appreciate it.

Clemson Pics

Levi went with us to the Clemson/NC State game. He pulled hard for the Tigers and we won... and a win is a win. Here are some cute pics Liz took:

Must read post

Do you ever find yourself complaining (don't lie)? If so, you've got to read this post from Ben. Point: Stop complaining and start leading.

Convicting

Read this quote on the Glocalnet Blog. It's pretty convicting: I am convinced if we prayed and worshipped daily encountering the living Jesus - just half as much as we read books, attend conferences, and study other churches - we would see a movement of God such as we have never seen and the church would be awakened once again. Everything that I’ve ever been apart of that was significant and really mattered was born out of prayer and worship and revelation that God gave in reflection and mediation.

Today we're headed out to the first Clemson home game. I love going to the game. However, after last week's embarrassment I'm missing some excitement. Hopefully we'll run up 70 points. We should. If you're at the game, say hi. I'll be wearing orange.

Hook us up

I know this is lame, but there's got to be someone out there who can hook Frankie and I up with tickets to Catalyst. Our shrinking budget couldn't afford the hit, but I know there's somebody out there who could hook us up. Shameless plug is done.

Hey, I know that voice

Today I get to go record a radio ad. Not gonna tell you which radio station. Just listen and see if you can hear me.

We're giving away another iPod today, too. It's church fair day at Converse. We get to promote Hub City Church. It should be fun.

Yesterday I emailed about a bazillion people in the upstate media to let them know about our launch. Pray that God will grant us favor and give us some free press. I already have an interview with the Herald-Journal lined up.

Zoo

We made the most of Labor Day yesterday by going to the Zoo. It's always fun to see the animals. I'm a bit disappointed that my boys love the "reptile house" the most. Frankie and Melanie and Alyx went with us. Here are a few pics for the relatives out there.