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.

Amy’s Funeral Today

Today Vanessa and I will go to Bethany North to participate in Amy’s funeral. It’s going to be a bittersweet day. I’ve watched Amy grow up from a child into a young lady. I remember one time Randy and Beth asked me to go with them on a trip to Colorado and I ended up babysitting for Amy and Angie when they were just real young. Talk about funny, a 20 something young man babysitting 2 young girls. We played Connect Four and they would cry because I wouldn’t let them win. Early in their lives they lived next door to my sister and her husband and we watched her grow tall into a young lady. I remember that once we were in Dallas where she was interning at a ritzy women’s boutique and several of us met her for dinner at P.F. Changs. She was always into fashion and style that was Amy. I watched as she and Joel began to spend time together that of course ended in their marriage. We were honored to be a part of that ceremony in St. Thomas. I remember spending time with the Stockstill family and thinking how blessed she was to be moving from a great family into another great family. I watched from a distance as she and Joel stepped into ministry and it was awesome to see God take a girl and see her become a woman of God. She always honored us even though we only pastored her for a short time of her life. She loved Vanessa and Vanessa loved Amy. We were blessed that she was a part of our lives and rejoice that she is with the Lord. At the same time our hearts go out to Randy, Beth, Andrew, and Angie as well as Joel and his family.

National Prayer Breakfast

I had the opportunity to attend the National Prayer Breakfast last week in Washington D.C. Gene Mills asked if I would attend in his place with Senator David Vitter and of course I’m grateful to both of them for the opportunity to attend. I always enjoy D.C. and Vanessa and I had a great time in the city. The speaker this year was Ward Brehm, chairman of the Africa Development Fund. His message was one of helping the poor in their poverty. Some of his main points were:

· Don’t lead thinking of you, but for 7 generations after you.
· God is often all the poor have
· We need to cross the street and cross the ocean.
· Attend to small disasters at home and huge ones across the sea.
· One million miles from my comfort zone but just 5 miles from my house.
· Jesus said, when you’ve done it unto “ONE” of the least of these, you’ve done it unto Me.” Look for one.
· Poor are not a group or a demographic, they are “1” individual.
· Africa awakened me and I didn’t even know I was asleep.
· God’s strategy for letting the poor know He loves them is US.


A host of who’s who were there from the political world, in fact I had a seat better than Chuck Colson but not as good as Rick Warren’s. Michael W. Smith sang a couple of his powerful songs and led us in worship. The whole message of using our strength to help the weakest among us was right on target for me. God has continually spoken this to me and challenged me to live it daily. What a privilege, thanks Senator Vitter, and thanks Gene Mills.

The Coffee Crew

I wanted you to see a picture of an important group of people in my life. These are the ones that I meet with and pray with 3 mornings every week. We meet at 6 a.m. on Monday through Friday and you are invited to join us. We read the scripture and pray as we are led by the Spirit of God and agree together that God is answering the prayer needs of our congregation. I am so grateful to them because they are so faithful and committed to praying. It is with this group that I often get the “rev” that I end up preaching to all of you that attend HOF. It is with this group that I can share some of the personal and administrative struggles I’m facing that day. It’s with this group that I drink my first cup of coffee with and then feel saved. This group sees me in my workout clothes and still loves me. Jesus taught that where 2 or 3 are gathered in His name, He would be there, and this is the group that I’ve experienced that truth on more days than I dare to remember. Thanks for praying.

Secrets to success

Pictured above is a family that came to HOF several years ago. What I remember is that Jennifer and Bob attended a Growing Kids God’s Way class Vanessa and I taught and they were all ears. They are a blended family and they were hungry to hear what God taught about just about anything. The thing that struck me was that we would teach and they would go home and implement what they heard. Jesus said that the ones who hear His words and do them are like the ones who build on a rock. As I look back, I now see why they have been so successful. Their time with us was too brief, work took them to several other states and churches and they are about to embark on another adventure of living in Singapore after spending some time in Japan. They have been involved and used in the local churches where they have served at each step. As I thought about why some people find success I couldn’t help but think of them. It was great to see them a few weeks ago and know they are still serving the Lord now it’s all over the world. I hope to visit them in Singapore and do some electronics shopping. Bob, Jen and kids, if you’re reading, we love you and know that the best is yet to come for you all.

Prayer is awesome

Jesus cleaned house in an infamous gospel account and said about his church, “My house shall be called a house of prayer….”. It’s been a great time of prayer each night for the 10 days of fasting and prayer as we are coming to the close of our fast. I feel like God has been doing some great things in my life as well as in the life of our church. To see the church getting together to pray is always a highlight of my life. We continue to have a morning prayer time on M-F from 6-7 a.m. in the sanctuary and you are invited to be a part of that. Praying is the best way that I know to learn to pray; it’s by hearing others pray and praying yourself that you develop a healthy and vibrant prayer life. It’s those times in the presence of God that revitalize and refocus us on being who God wants us to be and doing what He asks of us. I believe that we are going to see the answered prayers of these 10 days in the coming year. It may not look exactly like we thought, but I know that we will have because we have asked. It’s not too late to join us for the final few nights from 7 till 8 p.m.

New Leader

I just got back from attending several landmark events in our state, the Governor’s Inaugural Prayer Breakfast and the Inauguration itself on the steps of our state capital. I feel like I would look back on this day many years from now as a historical event and I wanted to be there in person. Gov. Jindal spoke about change; ethics reform is going to be his first agenda as he calls the legislature to a special session in Feb. He feels as though LA has been a victim of typical Louisiana politics where officials serve themselves first instead of serving the people they were elected to serve. The second part of his agenda will be transforming LA’s economy to be more job maker friendly. The third part has to do with improving our educational system so that business will have the needed labor force to prosper here. Gov. Jindal has always been open and candid about his salvation and faith and today was no different. You often hear references to “God” but his has a ring of authenticity not often experienced. I want to encourage you all to pray for all of our newly sworn in leaders at the state level as we step into a new chapter of life in LA.

Big Intern News

This week we hosted Dr. Stephen Anderson who is the president of Transworld Accrediting Commission International. We were connected by mutual friends and are looking into taking our Intern Program to the next level of being accredited. Dr. Stephen enjoyed watching LSU defeat the OSU at an intern party at Wade’s house and the next day gave our church/intern program a thorough evaluation. Dr. Anderson was impressed with the scope and curriculum of our intern program and we will soon be able to offer an Associate’s Degree in theology and Christian ministry to our second year intern grads. There is also the possibility of even more good news in the future regarding some possible financial aid. It’s exciting to see what God is doing as we train up the next generation of church leaders. Pastor Wade and Rob have done a great job of providing an avenue for our youth to be trained in the classroom but also trained in the field of real church. Too often our knowledge is limited to just what we’ve heard instead of what we’ve learned and DONE. Jesus taught in Matthew 7 that the ones who heard and did were like those who built their lives on the rock. It seems that we have a grace for education and we can’t wait to see what else develops as we work for God to see Him set the lonely in families, set them free and give them great joy.

The Two Become One

I had the privilege to marry these two great young people in our church this past Saturday. I know Derek and Heather through XG Youth Church and some premarital counseling we do with all couples who wish to be married at HOF. It was great to see two young people want to step into the commitment of marriage with Christ as their foundation. They had a beautiful ceremony and a lot of friends. Derek is a Tulane grad and Heather will graduate from SLU in a few short months. You could feel as though marriage is outdated according to the popular media, but where Jesus is preached, the desire to do things His way is alive and well. Our blessings and well wishes go to the new couple as they enjoy their honeymoon and step into a new season of life.

First Deer

This past Thursday and Friday I went hunting with two of my good friends, Jay Miller and Gene Mills. Jay took us to a hunting camp just outside Natchez, MS. I’ve only taken my two oldest boys deer hunting before, never been as a hunter myself so this was my first rodeo. I had to borrow a rifle as I don’t own one, and a gentleman named Mr. Millet volunteered his 30-06 to me. We hunted three times, Thursday afternoon and Friday morning and afternoon and saw probably 35 deer in all. Just before the sun set on Friday afternoon, I took the 8 point deer pictured above. I’m really not much of a hunter but I enjoyed spending time with my friends and the deer camp was plush. I didn’t make a very good shot, but I got my first buck. For those hunters wondering, NO, they did not smear me with blood, instead I suggested that after the deer sausage is made to smear some sausage grease on me.

New Years Eve

We did our version of a new years rocking eve at the Bledsoe’s house. It was a combo birthday party for me and staff get together with our families. We called in the expert gumbo cook; my mother-in-law, Aline Bertrand and all had plenty to eat. With a couple of fires to stand around, football on the TV and jumps for the kids there was a little something for everyone. It was all capped off by fireworks done by Jimmy Bordelon and his wife, Rachel. There is really nothing better than doing life with people who share vision, passion, and mission. I didn’t stay up to see the new year, but I did watch Auburn win in OT then went to sleep. I’m a morning guy, not a late night person. I left my wife and a few of her friends sitting outside around a fire. Looking forward to 2008, it’s gonna be great.

Merry Christmas

Today we had a short time with staff to give them a neat gift that I’ve been waiting for months to give them. It’s these nice Nike pullover jackets with our logo on them. I ordered them last year and we got them in the summer and I’ve had them stored at my house all this time. You have no idea how many times that I wanted to tell them or give them the gift that we had gotten just for them. It was especially bad when it began to cool off a little and the jacket would have been just perfect. I believe that is how God is towards us. I can only imagine how anxious He is to give us the good gifts that He’s gotten for us. We are in the middle of a short Christmas series that we will be talking about these things and I know that there are some incredible gifts in the lives and hearts of HOF that have yet to be discovered, discipled and delivered to the body of Christ and to the world. C’mon HOF, in 2008 let this be the year that you give the gifts to the world that God has given to you. The best is yet to come, I can feel it.

Watch the Gray Area

This past Saturday morning we met at a local elementary gym to have a friendly game of basketball. Forty-somethings down to twenty-somethings with the old guys versus the young guys. Glad to report at our age we don’t play shirts and skins, but yellow versus any other color but yellow. The humidity that day was high and it made the gym floor slippery in spots. The wood of the basketball court was okay, but the painted concrete that made up the out of bounds had a film of moisture on it and it was dangerously slippery. We constantly had to remind each other to “watch the gray” as several people’s momentum took them onto the slippery part and great was the fall of them. Thank God, no one was hurt, only pride and some bruises I’m sure will be felt this week. It reminds me of living for God, we have to watch the gray. There are areas of life that we can venture into that make our footing unsure, out of bounds areas. While on the playing floor all was well, as it is when we are engaged and being the church and not just attending I find that I do better. I believe that is why God gave us such boundaries as leadership, His Word, and the Holy Spirit to guide us so that we would have His protection so we wouldn’t go out of bounds. So as you navigate the end of ’07 watch the gray, stay in the game and see God do something awesome in your life.