New blog series: REACH

Tomorrow begins an exciting new blog series I'm calling REACH.

The question is, "Who will you reach?"

I've asked people in ministry from across the country about how they reach certain age groups. Each day will feature a new age group: kids, college, adults, skaters, and much more.

The idea stemmed from our study through the book of Acts that we're doing on Wednesday nights at Awaken. I've been so intrigued at people throughout history have been reached by the gospel in so many different ways by so many different people. I wanted to interview some people in ministry and see what they're doing to reach the age group they're targeting in ministry.

Some of the people I'll be interviewing are pastors in full-time ministry, others are volunteers, others are guys I served with at some point, and still others I have yet to meet face-to-face. I'll be wrapping up the series with an interview from Brian "Head" Welch, co-founder of the rock band, Korn, who recently gave his life to the Lord and now tours the country sharing his story with people of all ages. I'm excited to share the insight these guys have in ministry. I pray it inspires you to reach everyone you can with the good news of the gospel!

Stay tuned here each morning to read each interview!

Documentary, Action Film, or Both?

I always enjoy news reports when the news anchor gets pulled into the action. You may remember back in 2005 when Al Roker was reporting on the incredible winds of hurricane Wilma on the Today Show. Of course, it's never enough for him to say, "Sure is windy out there." Instead, he has to try to stand in the wind. Not possible when gusts reach up to 135mph! In fact, even with a guy lying on the ground holding his leg to anchor him, the wind still blew him over! It made for some great TV.

I think Al and Luke, the author of Acts, would have been friends.

Tonight at Awaken's first Wednesday night service, we kick off the book of Acts with an overview message I'm calling "The Aftermath of the Ascension." Would the work that Jesus began on Earth crash and burn after He left? The answer is an emphatic "NO" when you look at the power of the Holy Spirit through some very ordinary men. Just like Al Roker, Luke wasn't satisfied with a simple documentary of the events happening around him - he had to be in the action. There are 3 distinct "we passages" in Acts where, instead of just interviewing people and detailing the facts, Luke joins the action. I think if a modern-day director turned the book of Acts into a film, it would have a documentary feel with a twist of action flick in there.

Luke is very detailed and covers many of the important events that led to the growth of the Christian church after the life, death, resurrection, and ascension of Christ. We should be grateful for the book of Acts, because without it, when we turn in our Bibles from John to Romans, we'd wonder how Christianity ever made it to Rome. Acts gives the answers. Although many films had unnecessary sequels that were obviously riding on the coat tails of the first film, Acts is a very necessary sequel. It gives us the background of the spread of Christianity, the story of the life of Paul and ministry of Peter, the answers to how Gentiles (like me) were included in the faith, and much more!

Make sure to join us on Wednesday nights as we journey through the book of Acts in a series I'm calling "To the End of the Earth." We meet every Wednesday at 6:30pm for our study through Acts and each Saturday at 6:30pm for our study through Philippians that kicks off this weekend. I highly encourage you to come in person, but if you can't make it, or you miss a week, download the teachings from our teaching archive or subscribe to our podcast in iTunes!

Oh, and if you're in need of a few more reporters who got pulled into the action they were documenting, these should help satisfy that craving...

New Stuff at Awaken

Today seemed like the day for new stuff at Awaken - we got lots of packages in the mail and there's much more to come. Here's a quick look at what's going on...

NEW BUILDING
That's right. This time last week, we didn't have a building that was legal for assembly. Exactly 1 week later, we have a building that will work much better and be much more comfortable. We only have 11 days till our first service (yes, we're still on for Saturday, September 19 at 6:30pm) and plenty of cleaning to do. No, the sign isn't up yet, but it should look pretty similar to the photoshopped editions you're looking at. We have a work day scheduled for this Thursday, September 10th from 9:00am-noon to start the cleaning, and of course there will be more after that. Let us know if you want to help. We're stoked to see how God uses this building and glad that with just a couple minor touches, it measures up to fire code and satisfies the city's zoning codes. That's a nice change. There will be a map and more info posted shortly on the website on the when & where page.

NEW DECALS
Does your car/Bible/friend's face need some style? We have just what the doctor ordered. Our new are you awake? decals just arrived today (thanks to woventhorns.com) and you'll love them. Beginning this weekend at Riverfest, you'll be able to grab a decal, submit a picture of it on your car to our Twitter, Facebook, or email, and you'll win a prize (more details to come)! They'll be available for free on a first come, first served basis, so make sure to swing by the Awaken Church table and grab one for your car! Once they're gone, they're gone.

NEW ARTWORK
We just got the posters for our first 2 books of the Bible that we'll be studying. On Wednesday nights beginning September 23, we'll be studying the book of Acts in a series called To the End of the Earth. On Saturdays beginning September 26, we'll be studying Philippians in a series called To Live is Christ. Both books are powerful and have specific application to us as individuals and as a church. Can't wait to dive in! Download the artwork and listen to past teachings on our teachings page.

Some other new stuff...
- a new pulpit (it broke during shipping, but we'll have a new one by next week)
- new chairs (padded, even!)
- a nice projector and screen
- a nice Pearl drum kit donated by Calvary Chapel Rivergate (we just need a drummer)

I'm so stoked to get this thing off the ground and I really hope you'll be a part of it. There will never be another first weekend of Awaken Church, so plan on being there Saturday, September 19...but don't stop there - keep coming! In the mean time, join us for our last 2 weeks at the Edlers' house on Wednesday nights. Grab a map here.