No One Man Show

This weekend I got to take some of the boys out to a couple of LSU sporting events. We attended the LSU baseball game versus Arkansas courtesy of Tim’s generosity and then we caught the LSU Lady Tigers Tournament game against Marist for a berth in the Sweet Sixteen. In both contests I was reminded again how it takes every person on a team to ‘win’. The baseball team had a 9-0 lead over Arkansas and had hit 3 homers when the wheels fell off. It was a combination of things like bad pitching, errors fielding, and not hitting in the later stages of the game that did the Tigers in. In the Lady Tigers game, Marist played a funky triangle and two defense to stop Big Syl down low, our most potent player. It didn’t work as the rest of the team picked up the pace and of course Big Syl did her part and we got the “W”. Church is a lot like sports in that it takes all of us to really win our city to Christ. I’m more passionate than ever about helping people realize the dream that God has placed in them. I’m convinced that when we get people doing what God has made them to do, then we’ll be much more effective in touching our city for Christ. I know that all of you reading this blog has a God-given dream and my prayer for you today is that you would live out His dream and find that He’ll be faithful to fulfill your dreams as well.

Easter Sunday

Easter Sunday was a great day for HOF. We had a record crowd of 1150 people and the best thing was that 26 people made a decision for Christ. It’s awesome to see what God is doing in lives and families. We are looking forward believing that the best is yet to come for you and for HOF. Thanks to all the people who greeted, loved the kids, worked Club Faith, served coffee, ushered and sang in the choir. You guys rock.

Championship Saturday

I sat through several championship games on Saturday waiting for the one I had come to see. The thing that stuck out to me from my vantage point in the stands was the poor sportsmanship displayed by parents. Invariably if a call went against their team, parents would instantly blame the ref for cheating. As if any ref would cheat in an elementary girl's basketball championship game. What could possibly be the motive for that? The kids played hard and competed well, but I was just disgusted by the attitudes of some of the parents. I like to win as much as anyone, but it seems that winning has become everything. Often someone would yell at the refs over a call and the attitude was way out of line. I like to yell and get into the games as much as anyone, but we have to be aware of the unspoken line that is not to be crossed of good sportsmanship. I think we should support our team and not put down the opposition. I want to encourage all of you that will be at ball parks this spring and summer to represent Christ in the way you support your young people. People are always looking, I know I was.

XG Healer Conference

Someone sent a comment and asked to see the finished backdrop. Here is a pic during the Friday night meeting of the XG Youth conference.

March Madness

It’s tournament time for Faith Academy’s 7th & 8th grade team. Tuesday night the Crusaders subdued a scrappy Cypress Heights team for the 3rd time this year. The F.A. team has gone unbeaten in their league and with two more wins will take the tournament title as well as well as the regular season title. Our struggle will be more intense as the tournament goes on but I believe the guys have what it takes to win the title. Last night was good because the guys have been off for a while and everyone got to play. Cypress Heights has 3 guys out sick so they were at a disadvantage. Our next game is against Baton Rouge Lutheran on Friday with the championship on Saturday probably against Runnels, our archenemy this year. The two games have been titanic struggles with F.A. prevailing each time. We’ll have to beat them again to win the tourney title if the seedings hold to form.

XG Youth Conference: HEALER

Tonight it all starts as hundreds of youth from churches as far away as Houston gather for the annual XG youth conference. I’ve been privileged to see all the behind the scenes work that is going into making this the best ever. Speaking with Wade the other day, our dream is to see vibrant life-giving youth churches as part of their local church. I believe that youth ministry is ministry. There is only one ministry, building the Kingdom. I will be speaking to youth pastors and leaders on Saturday morning and looking forward to spending time with them and giving them a senior pastor’s point of view. XG has been praying and fasting for God to touch this generation. You need to make sure that your young person is there. No matter the cost or the obstacles the investment into their lives will be eternal. Man, I love young people and the energy they bring to a church.

Church United but not Bored

This is a picture of some of us that serve on the Church United Board. We got together this week to celebrate what great things God is doing with Church United For Community Development (CUFCD). It is this entity that we have partnered with to build the temporary housing apartments at the north end of our property and a second permanent apartment complex is due to open soon. We’ll be able to offer 4 additional families permanent housing for a modest rent while seeing them grow in the things of God. CUFCD is involved in after school programs for kids in difficult surroundings, prison release/re-entry programs with job training, abstinence training, Ascension House, and much more. Pictured is Brandon, Mark Stermer, Gene Mills, and Derrick Smith. Pastor Dino Rizzo, Claudia Berry, and Parnell are not pictured. These people really have a heart to see God touch the “poor” and the “lonely”. I would encourage you to use the Thrift Shop just north of the church if you have anything to donate or if you need something. Also, a division of CUFCD is available to hire for construction clean-up as well as other types of work.

Highlands Up Close

Wade and I traveled to Birmingham for Highlands Up Close where we spent 24 hours with their staff and senior pastor, Chris Hodges. Chris is a Louisiana guy that has built a phenomenal church just on the edge of Birmingham. They were portable for 6 years or so and then last year moved into their first permanent church home. The facility is gorgeous but more than that God is blessing their church and they are reaching hundreds for Christ. Last weekend over 8000 attended church at one of their 4 campuses and over 8 services. The thing that I took away from our 24 hours there was their spirit of excellence and a passion for people. We also got to catch up with some other pastor friends from around the country and meet new friends. It is important for me to hear from those whom God is using as we continue to follow the Lord and see our own story unfolding at HOF. I am so thankful for Chris making himself available as we work to see God’s kingdom grow. I’m going to include of picture of some people there attempt to put the first video on my blog of a band practice that will give you a glimpse of their church.