Servelloism

Our church just completed Phase 1 of our Greater Than series and after Mothers Day we will start phase 2. The series is turning into a resounding success with MANY new visitors coming to the church. We broke attendance records and have maintained it for all four weeks. I have never seen so many visitors, It has literally been staggering. I saw people responding to the pure gospel message and even some “christians” have told me they’ve come to a greater appreciation of the gospel. GREAT! I am so appreciative to the Lord who has been so gracious to me through my life. He has always brought along the mentors that I need at different stages of my life to help me accomplish what he wanted me to do. With all the success of what has happened it has made me just appreciate those mentors of mine, some of whom I have the honor of knowing personally and some I have had some limited time with, and others just simply though their books or messages. I guess I just wanted to say how much I appreciate Bill Hybels & Rick Warren for breaking me out of my self-absorbed, self righteous attitudes and leading me to a place of understanding the importance of reaching people far from God. Its become the highest value to me, I owe that to them. Luke 15, need I say more? I also am thankful for Benny Perez who has always been a source of inspiration to me to know that you can be spirit-filled, move in the power of the spirit, and not be weird. Take it from a cynic, Benny is the real deal. I also want to thank Nancy Ortberg and Craig Groeschel, both of whom showed up at a time in my life when I was starting to wonder if I was crazy, both have convinced me that I was not and have been an awesome encouragement. I should also mention Ed Young Jr whose simple leadership CD on children’s ministry became the seeds of what became the revamping of our children’s wing. I say all this because every unchurched person who has come to church over the past few weekends and has commented on how great the “mass” was, or how great the children’s center is, or how great our the promo stuff was my thoughts go back to those I mentioned who have used their lives to influence people like me. I wish I could say that it all starts and ends with us but it doesnt. It goes without saying but I am so proud of the team I serve with. They are not only my colleagues, but we are the best of friends. To work together towards a dream with close friends is an indescribable gift that I pray we always appreciate. Thank you!